Tour of Britain finale tests Tour de France and Olympic routes

The route of the 2006 Tour of Britain was unveiled in London yesterday, and organisers revealed details of the final stage, which is set to be the biggest bike race ever held in the British capital.

The 80km final stage will use a circuit that includes sections of the 2007 Tour de France stage and some of the proposed 2012 Olympic course.

The stage will start in Greenwich Park, and riders will cross Tower Bridge and into the City of London. The course will cross Hampstead Heath then down to Regent's Park, through Hyde Park on to the Tour de France Prologue route and finally in to St James's Park for 20 laps of the park to the finish.

Peter Hendy, Commissioner of Transport for London, said, "London has never seen a cycle race of this scale. This is the third time the Tour of Britain has finished in the capital and this year's race promises to be bigger and better than ever. The final stage of the race will be a great rehearsal for the 2007 Tour de France and the 2012 Olympics cycling race, and will showcase what cycling has to offer our great city.

Tour of Britain 2006 stages

Stage 1 – August 29: Scotland, Glasgow to Castle Douglas
Stage 2 – August 30: Northwest, Blackpool to Liverpool
Stage 3 – August 31: Yorkshire, (final route to be confirmed)
Stage 4 – September 1: West Midlands, (final route to be confirmed)
Stage 5 – September 2: Southeast, Rochester to Canterbury
Stage 6 – September 3: London, Greenwich to The Mall