Full Borders route revealed for Tour of Britain men's cycling race

Full route maps have been released for the 2026 Tour of Britain men's cycling race, which concludes in the Scottish Borders.

The Scottish stage weaves for 160km (99 miles) through a number of towns and villages as well as a challenging section of the Lammermuir Hills.

Spectators will be able to see the race at least four times during the day in Earlston including the start of the race and the final sprint to the finish line.

Cyclists will also take on stages in Lincolnshire and East and North Yorkshire during the events from 2-6 September.

It is the first time the peloton has made its way to Earlston, though the Borders has a rich tradition of hosting stages of the race.

It headed to Hawick in 2021 and 2022 and Kelso in 2017, 2019 and 2024.

In the fifth and final stage of the race, the world's leading male cyclists will depart Earlston towards Smailholm and then Kelso, turning off just before the town to take in Hume, Greenlaw and Duns.

A challenging sector then faces the riders in the Lammermuir Hills, passing Whiteadder Water before a climb to Redstone Rig and Duddy Bank.

Once the race heads back towards Earlston, the riders have two circuits of a 19km (11.8 mile) lap before the race concludes and the next men's champion is crowned.

Recent editions of the Tour of Britain have attracted top professional cycling teams and riders, including world and Olympic champions such as Wout Van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Tom Pidcock and Julian Alaphilippe.

Kelso's Oscar Onley competed in the 2022 and 2024 races, with Peebles' Callum Thornley spending much of the Scottish Borders stage in 2024 at the front of the race.

Onley has been ruled out of this month's Tour de France with a shoulder injury after crashing on stage six of the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes in France.

Jonathan Day, the director of events for British Cycling Ventures, said the route was the "news fans have been waiting for" so they could plan where to watch the race.

He said: "We have worked closely with all our stakeholders to design a fantastic route that will ignite the race and create a memorable spectacle for all involved.

"The route brings unique challenges to the riders, while delivering a backdrop which shows the best of Britain."

Borders councillor Scott Hamilton said: "This will be the first time that we have ever hosted the final stage of the Tour, so it will be a fantastic occasion.

"I am sure that we'll see a large crowd in Earlston, enjoying not just the racing but other entertainment and activities throughout the whole day."