East Suffolk Council
Suffolk to host opening stages of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men
Britain’s biggest professional cycle race and the UK’s largest free-to-spectate live sporting event will return to Suffolk this September, as the opening stages of the race take place in the region on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 September.
East Suffolk will host the first stage of the race, with the return of the world’s top male cyclists to the district for a third consecutive year, as Woodbridge and Southwold play host to the stage one start and finish.
A day later the second stage of the race will start and finish in Stowmarket, hosted by Mid Suffolk District Council and neighbouring Babergh District Council, as two stages of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men take place in the county for the first time.
The announcement follows the success of this year’s Lloyds Tour of Britain Women in June, which saw an action-packed edition of the race only decided in the final sprint to the line in Glasgow, as Kiwi rider Ally Wollaston claimed victory.
Cllr Sarah Whitelock, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “We are excited to welcome the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men back to East Suffolk for the third consecutive year, and to be hosting the opening stage. This is the UK’s largest free-to-spectate live sporting event and directly benefits local businesses and communities. The Tour, and the community activities which accompany it, also helps to promote the physical and mental health benefits of cycling to all ages and abilities and showcases East Suffolk as a cycle friendly destination to a national audience.”
Having hosted the final stage of the 2024 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, East Suffolk will now host the start of racing in September 2025, marking the first time since 2012 that the overall race has begun in Suffolk, and a debut for Woodbridge as a host venue for the event.
Southwold has never hosted the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, but has twice seen the women’s race visit, most recently in 2018 when Jolien D’hoore won a stage finishing on North Parade in the town.
The exact stage route for the opening leg of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men will be published later in July, but will include passing through Wickham Market, Aldeburgh, Saxmundham, Framlingham, Halesworth, Bungay, and Beccles.
For the second stage, Stowmarket will host the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men for the first time, though like Southwold has hosted a finish of the women’s race, also won by Jolien D’hoore in 2019.
Cllr Andy Mellen, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring the Tour of Britain Men into the heart of Suffolk and look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best riders. We already know from the Women’s Tour that our towns and villages will be out in force to cheer them on.
“The race brings real excitement to the district, inspiring others to enjoy the benefits of cycling, as well as giving a real boost to our visitor economy.”
Further details of the route of stage two will also be published later in July, but will include Debenham and Eye in Mid Suffolk, and Sudbury and Hadleigh in Babergh.
Cllr John Ward, leader of Babergh District Council said: “This is fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Babergh’s beautiful landscapes, towns and villages to an international audience.
“We’re also committed to providing opportunities to get involved in sports and physical activity and by hosting this international event showcasing prominent cyclists we hope to inspire the next generation of budding athletes right here in Suffolk.”
Commenting on the announcement of the opening stages, Jonathan Day, Managing Director of British Cycling Events, said; “Having finished the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women with some great racing and a fantastic festival of cycling in Glasgow, our attention is now on September and the return of the men’s event. We are delighted to begin our announcements with the news that East Suffolk will host the opening stage, and two new venues – Woodbridge and Southwold – will appear on the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men map. Then moving onto stage 2 and a huge thanks to our partners at Babergh and Mid Suffolk, which will see Stowmarket become the third new venue for the men’s race, ensuring a fantastic opening two days in the beautiful Suffolk countryside.
“Over the coming weeks we look forward to sharing more exciting details about this year’s race with fans and building up to what will be another incredible edition of the Lloyds Tour of Britain.”
Further announcements about the host venues of the other four stages, as well as the participating teams for the Lloyds Tour of Britain will be made over the coming weeks.