Tour of Britain cycle race kicks off in Aberdeenshire!

By Enjoy Alford and Donside on 02/09/2022

It will be the first time the north-east has ever hosted the start of the event since it began in 1945.

British winners in the past include the legendary Sir Bradley Wiggins.

What is this year’s Tour of Britain route from Aberdeen?
The 112-mile first stage will start on Aberdeen’s Union Street and finish at Glenshee Ski Centre on Sunday, September 4.

But how tricky will this prove for this year’s professional 120-man lineup?

The route and expected times that the competitors will be hitting each zone at:

Aberdeen Union Street – 11am
Aberdeen Esplanade – 11:15am
Inverurie – 11:54am
Bennachie Forest – 12:16pm
Lord’s Throat – 12:33pm
Suie Hill – 1:13pm
Alford – 1:25pm
Ballater – 2:34pm
Glenshee Ski Centre – 3:34pm
Last year the competition was won by Belgian star Wout van Aert of Team Jumbo-Visma. The finale was in Aberdeen.

All Tour of Britain races have Skoda King of the Mountains sections where climbers compete for points towards the King of the Mountains jersey.

Races also have sprint sections where riders contest points and bonuses.

This year, the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire stage of Tour of Britain has four mountain climbs and three sprints.