The route for the final stage of this year’s Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men has been announced.

The 20th edition of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men will be decided on a 158-kilometre (98.5-mile) final stage through East Suffolk, between Lowestoft and Felixstowe this September.

East Suffolk will hold the final stage of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race on Sunday 8 September for the first time, coming after five days of racing that begins in the Scottish Borders,

Stage six will get underway at 10.30am from Lowestoft’s Promenade, the first time that the town has hosted the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men, with the stage heading inland via Beccles and Bungay, and then south through Halesworth, Framlingham, and Saxmundham, before racing along the Suffolk coast between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh.

The second half of the route takes in Snape, Wickham Market, Kesgrave, and Martlesham, before a run in and finish on Sea Road in Felixstowe familiar to riders from 12-months ago, when Wout van Aert took a stage win in Suffolk. The stage is expected to finish between 2.08pm and 2.53pm.

The stage will feature three intermediate sprints – each with time bonuses – at Beccles, Aldeburgh, and Grundisburgh, that will help shape the outcome of who follows in the wheel tracks of Wout van Aert as Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men champion.

Cllr Seamus Bennett, East Suffolk Council assistant cabinet member and Felixstowe ward councillor, said:

“This is the first time an entire stage of the Tour of Britain will be held solely within East Suffolk, which is wonderful for the district as national sporting events such as this brings huge benefits to the area. The race will pass through many of our market towns, giving residents, businesses and visitors the chance to enjoy the event from a wide range of locations.

“East Suffolk Council has been instrumental in bringing this major event to our district and we are working hard to ensure there is an exciting programme of activity taking place at the start in Lowestoft and finish in Felixstowe, as well as encouraging residents and businesses along the route to get involved and show their support for the race.”

Commenting on the route for the final stage, Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Race Director Rod Ellingworth said;

“This year’s final stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men is deceptive, with plenty of challenges to overcome before our 2024 champion can be crowned on Sea Road in Felixstowe. Suffolk has always provided great racing in the Tour, and this year will be no different, with sections along the exposed coastline that will be a real challenge if the wind blows, while the three intermediate sprints will ensure competitive racing thanks to the time bonuses on offer, which could become very important if the overall lead is slender going into the last day.

“Our thanks go to our partners at East Suffolk Council, and in both Lowestoft and Felixstowe, for hosting the final stage of this year’s Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men.”

The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men begins in the Scottish Borders on Tuesday 3 September followed by stages in the Tees Valley, South Yorkshire, East Midlands and West Northamptonshire, before the final stage in Suffolk.