Manchester to host opening stage of Tour of Britain 2023

Tour of Britain, the UK's biggest professional cycle race, will start in Manchester next year. The event is scheduled for 3rd September.

The decision has been welcomed by Manchester City Council's John Hacking. "Manchester is the home of British Cycling, and our velodrome is internationally renowned as a gold medal factory. Hosting the Grand Depart of the Tour of Britain 2023 is a real honour for us and celebrates Manchester as a premier cycling city," Hacking said.

Announcing the news, race director Mick Bennett also revealed the reasons for choosing Manchester. "It's great to return to Manchester following the huge successes of the race's last visit there in 2019 and, of course, this year's Tour Series Grand Final in the heart of the city. Manchester is both synonymous with British Cycling and the way it is leading the charge towards active transportation, so we can't wait to get the 2023 Tour of Britain under way in the city," concluded Bennet. The final stage of the Tour will be held in Wales, and further details will be released in the spring.