PREVIEW & Favourites Tour of Britain 2025 stage 1 - Matthew Brennan to bring British success in expected sprint?

The Tour of Britain returns from the 2nd to the 7th of September, once again bringing together a strong and varied field of riders from across the WorldTour and beyond. Over the course of six days, the race will offer a mix of opportunities: from high-speed sprints to selective rolling days, and perhaps even the chance for a bold breakaway to shine. It remains one of the most important stage races on the British calendar, a showcase not only for established names but also for emerging talent hoping to make their mark on home roads.

Stage 1 will set the tone for the week ahead. The race begins in the market town of Woodbridge, nestled in East Anglia, and from the very start it looks like the sprinters will have things their own way. The opening stage covers 161 kilometres before finishing by the Suffolk coast in Southwold, and with almost no significant climbs or technical difficulties along the route, the peloton is expected to stay intact from start to finish. For the pure fast men, this is as close to a guaranteed bunch sprint as you are likely to find on the British roads.

That means the first leader’s jersey should be decided in a drag race to the line, with positioning, timing, and lead-out precision playing a decisive role. Expect the WorldTour sprint specialists to seize the spotlight, though Britain’s domestic riders will be equally eager to test themselves against the elite.

Racing begins at 11:00 local time, with the finish in Southwold expected around 15:15. For fans lining the roadside, it promises a spectacular start to this year’s Tour: fast, flat, and almost certain to end in a dramatic charge for victory.

*** Olav Kooij
** Matthew Brennan, Luke Lamperti
* Ethan Hayter, Tim Torn Teutenberg, Alexander Kristoff, Alberto Dainese

Pick: Olav Kooij