Spectators' guide to Devon Stage of the 2021 Tour of Britain

Some of the biggest names in cycling will be competing in this year’s Tour of Britain, and if you’re planning to watch them in action in Devon on Monday 6 September you can take your pick of 115 miles along the route.

Devon County Council will host Stage Two of the 17th edition of the race on Monday 6 September, with a stellar field of riders including Mark Cavendish and Wout Van Aert due to take to the start line.

This year’s Devon Stage will start at 11am in Hercules Road, Sherford, and will head towards Yealmpton as it starts a loop around the South Hams before crossing Dartmoor and finishing in Queen Street in Exeter.

Apart from the start and finish areas, there are plenty of opportunities to see the peloton racing through a number of communities including Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Modbury, Ermington, Ivybridge, Cornwood, Yelverton, Tavistock, Princetown, Moretonhampstead, Dunsford and Longdown.

Some of the most exciting places to see the 108 pro cyclists in action are the three ŠKODA King of the Mountains climbs at Strete at the end of a two kilometre climb from Blackpool Sands, at Rundlestone above Tavistock, and between Postbridge and Warren House Inn.

Intermediate Sprints will feature at Torcross, Embankment Road in Kingsbridge and Plymouth Road in Tavistock.

The Tour last visited Devon in 2018, racing from the new town of Cranbrook in East Devon to Barnstaple in North Devon, when Australian Cameron Meyer won the stage.

Since The Tour first visited the county in 2007, the race has generated more than £41 million for the local economy and more than 1.7 million spectators in total have lined the route.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for cycling, said: “The Devon Stage for this year’s Tour is a spectacular route and there is plenty of opportunity for people to see some of the action. The race takes in Dartmoor National Park and many of Devon’s market towns, so wherever people decide to watch the race, hopefully they will make a day of it and support local businesses. Our advice is, wherever you plan to watch the race, please leave plenty of time to travel, in order to avoid delays. We’re also asking spectators to work with us to keep Devon safe and follow the latest Covid-19 advice at the time.”

Councillor Jonathan Hawkins, South Hams District Council Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The Devon stage of the Tour of Britain takes in so many communities of the South Hams, it’s going to really show off the area. With so many places in the district to watch the event, I hope that people visit our shops, have a bite to eat or drink in one of our many eateries and support local businesses while they’re out and about. I’d also ask that people plan their day in advance, so they can avoid delays and help keep everyone safe.”

Pamela Woods, Chair of Dartmoor National Park Authority said: “It’s great to welcome the Tour of Britain back. Dartmoor National Park offers not only a stunning backdrop to the race, but also for hungry spectators making a day of it, some fantastic local food at some of the many fine places to eat on Dartmoor.”

Councillor Duncan Wood, Exeter City Council’s Lead Councillor for Leisure & Physical Activity, said: “Exeter is fortunate to have the finale taking place in the city. They’ll be lots of opportunities to see the riders as they enter the city, swooping down into Buddle Lane and then through Exwick. It’s at this stage where competition for places hots up as riders will be trying to break from the pelaton as they head along Cowley Bridge Road, New North Road and Queen Street for a sprint to the finish.”   

Where to watch

Devon Stage - Stage Two                                      (Estimated times)

Start -                       Sherford (Hercules Road)              11:00

SKODA KOM -        Strete/Blackpool Sands                   12:30

Sprint -                       Torcross                                         12:40

Sprint -                       Kingsbridge                                   12:56

Sprint -                       Tavistock                                        14:08

SKODA KOM -        Rundlestone                                      14:10

SKODA KOM -        Postbridge/Warren House Inn        14:39

Finish  -                   Exeter (Queen Street)                      15:37

Sherford - 

The event village is close to the start (post code PL9 8FA) and will include exhibits from race partners, stall and refreshments.

 Exeter - 

Spectators at the finish can choose to watch the race from Queen Street, the area outside Exeter Central Station or from the final turn around the Clock Tower Roundabout.

Beyond this point, there is the area in front of Exeter College or either side of New North Road, the final short climb of the race.

Spectators with disabilities

There will be viewing areas at both the start and finish for spectators with disabilities and their carers.

In Sherford, a number of disabled parking spaces will be available at the Bovis Homes and Taylor Wimpey offices on Hercules Road. These parking spaces are about a 400m flat walk from the Sherford Event Village. Please be aware, the event village itself is on a slight incline.   

In Exeter, there will be a viewing area next to the finish line. This will be in close proximity to refreshments and toilet. Access will be via the main pedestrian routes along Queen Street as parking spaces will be made available either within Northernhay Street or Bystock Terrace Car Park.

Spaces within the viewing and parking areas are limited so you will need to be booked in advance. To book a parking and viewing place, please email tourofbritain@devon.gov.uk with the following information:

• Your chosen event location, ie Sherford or Exeter
• Name of person with disability
• Blue Badge number
• Name of career/assistant
• Vehicle registration number
• Vehicle make and model

Further information

Wherever you’re planning to watch the race, please plan ahead and leave plenty of time for your journey. Where possible it’s recommended that you cycle, walk or use public transport.

Road Closures

To accommodate the race safely it is necessary to suspend parking and close a number of roads on the day of the Devon Stage.

Any vehicles parked within the restrictions and causing an obstruction will be removed.

There will be fixed road closures in place in the start and finish locations – Sherford and Exeter - and rolling road closures all along the route of the race enforced by police and civilian motorcycles. The rolling road closures will only be in effect for a limited period to allow the race and race vehicles to travel through towns and villages safely and to allow residents, businesses and visitors ample opportunity to see the event safely. Every effort will be made to re-open the roads as soon as it is safe to do so.

In Sherford, Hercules Road will be closed between Haye Road and Red Lion Hill from 4am to 2pm.

COVID-19 Guidance

Wherever you choose to watch the race, work with us to keep Devon safe and follow the latest COVID-19 advice.

The Tour of Britain is working closely with the UCI, cycling’s governing body, and the partners involved in the Devon Stage to ensure to keep fans, riders and staff as safe as possible. Its covid protocols can be found at https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/covid-update/

For more information go to www.devontourofbritain.co.uk and www.tourofbritain.co.uk. The Tour’s Code of Conduct relating to Covid-19 advice can be found on its website.

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