Thousands are poised to see cycling sensation Tom Pidcock powering through Erewash on Friday (6 September) – as he battles fellow Paris Olympics gold medal winner Remco Evenepoel in the Tour of Britain.
The East Midlands leg of the UK’s biggest bike race – screened live on ITV4 – will see more than 100 of the world’s top riders sweep through Borrowash at around 11:15am.
They will then head along Nottingham Road through Risley before taking a sharp left on to Rushy Lane. Their route will take them to Dale Abbey via No Man’s Lane. After passing through the village – which is hoping to attract tourists to sights such as Hermit’s Cave – the riders will emerge on to Ladywood Road at Arbour Hill.
Turning right towards Kirk Hallam they will then take a left on to Cat and Fiddle Lane. The race will skirt West Hallam until riders turn left on to Belper Road at the Station Road junction with High Lane West.
That will take them through Stanley Common at around 11:37am before they turn right towards Smalley, Heanor and Langley Mill along the A608.
The spectacle will see rolling road closures but race organisers aim to keep disruption to a minimum. Details are on the road closures page.
Pidcock, from Leeds, won Olympic mountain biking gold barely a month ago. Arch-rival Evenepoel, 24, from Belgium, scooped two cycling golds at the Paris Games.
Spectators lining the route of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain are also urged to keep an eye out for 19-year-old Ben Wiggins – son of cycling legend Bradley.
Pidcock, 25 – nicknamed Pidders – said: “The Tour of Britain is a really special race for me. Returning to the UK after a such busy year of racing and to pin on numbers in front of the passionate home fans, always provides great motivation.
“I can’t wait to get out there with my INEOS Grenadier teammates in our home race and we look forward to seeing you all out along the road.” Residents are invited to an “Erewash Celebrates Tour of Britain 2024” event organised in partnership with West Hallam Parish Council.
It kicks off at 10.30am at West Hallam Community Centre, which riders will pass on Station Road. Union flags will be handed out – and a “Good luck from Erewash” banner will be displayed.
Borough councillor Josy Hare, who is Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said it was “fantastic” that the race was coming to Erewash. She added:
“It will be a great opportunity for the community to turn out and cheer the cyclists on. The council’s community health and wellbeing team are pulling out all the stops to make it as memorable as possible.”
Here are some suggested viewing points:
- Borrowash: The pavement and grass verge between Nottingham Road and the retail area’s car park should give a good view as the riders turn from Station Road onto Nottingham Road. There are also a few benches with a view of the route and since Derby Road and Victoria Road aren’t closed, those traveling by car from Derby will be able to access the car park.
- Risley: The grass verges on either side of Derby Road between the turnoffs to Breaston Lane and Rushy Lane will have good views of the riders as they go past.
- Dale Abbey: The pavement alongside Moor Lane/Arbour Hill and the area outside The Carpenter’s Arms are alongside the route of the Tour. However, Dale Abbey will be cut off by road closures, so it won’t be possible to travel there by car
- West Hallam: The parish Council are setting up a viewing area outside the Community Centre on Station Road. West Hallam will be accessible by Car from Ilkeston via High Lane West but there isn’t a lot of parking aside from the small car park at the retail area off The Village.
- Stanley Common: The Tour will go directly past the Common along Belper Road. This viewing area is car accessible from the South via Common Lane but there’s no designated parking.
Have you signed up to the council's email newsletter yet ? Find out more and subscribe at EBC News.