WARWICKSHIRE’S cycling scene is braced for a boom on the back of the Lloyds Tour of Britain.
Thousands lined the streets to cheer on the likes of Geraint Thomas, Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe as the Tour swept across the county, taking in all five districts and boroughs on its way to the stage finish atop Burton Dassett Hills.
And many more watched live on TV as the action was broadcast live to a national audience by ITV4 and to an even wider international audience by TNT Sports.
The coverage showcased just some of Warwickshire’s road cycling offer – lush and varied landscapes, quaint towns and villages, historic landmarks and scenic routes. It also generated interest in the recognised National Cycling Network and off-road settings and greenways.
Romain Grégoire, the Warwickshire stage winner and 2025 Tour of Britain champion, was himself full of praise. The 22-year-old Frenchman described Warwickshire as “a really nice place to race” and was hugely appreciative of the welcome and energy of the many spectators at Burton Dassett.
Riders from several cycling clubs chose to ride a section of the 116-mile long Warwickshire stage en route to the finish at Burton Dassett. The number of clubs enjoying Warwickshire is set to climb in the coming weeks as a result of the recent exposure.
Members of Holmes Chapel Velo, a Cheshire-based cycling club formed in 2016, watched the final stretch of the Warwickshire stage after embarking on a 50-mile ride to the country park.
Club founder Matthew Townsend said: “We’ve all said we’d consider Warwickshire now as a cycling trip destination after seeing the scenery and the landscape.
“We were very impressed by the part of the county we rode through and we’d like to explore more of it.”
After meeting at the club shop in Hockley Heath, members of Dynamic Rides Cycling Club also followed a section of the route before arriving at Burton Dassett.
Club chairwoman Eleanor Betts said: “We saw riders from clubs right across the Midlands and expect that will be the norm now. The route has shown what an amazing place Warwickshire is to cycle in.
“There’s not many sports where you can be right next to your heroes watching them and then go out on the same roads. That’s one of the beauties of cycling.”
Phil Davis already has the cycling bug, despite only taking up the sport in March. He and fellow members of Shipston Cycling Club took the day off work to watch the Tour pass through the streets they know so well.
He said: “It was a great opportunity to see some of the world’s best on your doorstep. It was screened to an international audience on TNT Sport so the potential impact it could have is huge.”
Kenilworth Wheelers also organised a ride to different points of the route.
Club Chairman Adam Witchell added: “It was a fabulous way of putting our county on the map from a local cycling point of view and as a cycling destination. We’re so lucky in Warwickshire to have such a great network of roads to ride on, whatever your level or experience, and the Tour of Britain celebrated that so well.”
