Guide to the best spots to watch Tour of Britain

Cycling fans from around the country will be heading to Wiltshire as more than 100 of the world’s top riders led by Sir Bradley Wiggins race through the county.

Television cameras will be following the action as the Friends Life Tour of Britain, featuring the former Tour de France winner and London Olympics gold medalist, thrill crowds along the route in Wiltshire.

But where are the top spots to watch the action?

Wiltshire Council will be providing all the latest information to help make it a day to remember for communities across the county and for visiting cycling followers.

The council has produced a dedicated area on its website featuring the best places to watch, the full route details, a map and expected race arrival times, safety advice and much more.

The website will be kept up to date in the run-up to the event on 12th September as communities across the county plan events to celebrate one of the biggest occasions in the sporting calendar. With Sir Bradley Wiggins leading the Team Sky challenge, huge crowds are expected and spectator safety is key to a successful event.

Most of the route is not suitable for vehicles to access viewing spots or to park and Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police have appealed to spectators not to park on the race route.

The council website can help communities take their pick of the best viewing points to watch the race.

People can find the safest places to watch the action as the cyclists tackle the county’s winding roads as the peloton reaches speeds of 40kmh through Wiltshire’s beautiful villages and countryside.

The website has details of the rolling programme of road closures, the latest Friends Life Tour of Britain news and how communities along the route can get involved both in the tour and the huge programme of events and activities being hosted along the route.

Wiltshire Council hopes the Tour of Britain will inspire the next generation of cyclists and the website includes links to information about the county’s cycling routes.

Council leader Jane Scott said, “We are preparing to host some of the world’s top cyclists and we are encouraging all our communities to show their support for the riders and the race and to showcase what makes Wiltshire such a special county.

“We have been working closely with tour organisers SweetSpot to ensure we make this an event the county can be really proud of, and I hope as many people as possible will turn out to show their support.”

All the latest information can be found by visiting www.wiltshire.gov.uk/tourofbritain