LAST TIME . . . the Tour of Britain came through the region in 2013
Stage one of the tour will take place in Scotland with the Grand Depart in Glasgow on Sunday September 4.
And the opening stage will see riders finishing that day – after 168 km – in Dumfries and Galloway.
It will be the eighth time that the region has hosted a stage finish of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race, and the third time that Castle Douglas has welcomed a finish of the race.
In both 2005 and 2006 the opening stage of the Tour of Britain ran from Glasgow to Castle Douglas, with Nick Nuyens and Martin Pedersen the respective winners, of both the Scottish stage and the overall race in those editions.
With the town already eagerly anticipating the arrival of the race, local organisers are confident that around 10,000 spectators will turn out to watch riders crossing the finishing line.
Councillor Colin Smyth said: “Castle Douglas always has been serious about cycling. The town boasts three cycling shops and is proud of its history of twice previously hosting the Tour of Britain. What a great hattrick to bring this superb event back to this scenic market town for a third time.”
Commenting on the Scottish Stage, Tour of Britain race director Mick Bennett said: “The stage will take in some new roads in Ayrshire for the Tour of Britain, before a very scenic run in to the finish in Castle Douglas, which will look fantastic on the television coverage.”
The tour will finish in London on September 11.
