THE Tour of Britain cycle race, which had been due to start in Cornwall in September, has been postponed until 2021.

British Cycling, along with the various stage hosts, including Cornwall Council, have decided it would be impossible to manage a safe race this year in light of the current Covid-19 restrictions.

The locations chosen for the 2020 event will be carried over to next year - meaning Cornwall is still scheduled to host the opening leg of the race.

Organisers have acknowledged increasing challenges in their ability to manage a safe race in September 2020.

Local concerns had also been raised over the ability to plan for such a large-scale event during such an uncertain period of time.

Cllr Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for culture, economy and planning, said: ’While it is disappointing to see the race postponed for this year, there really was no choice for the organisers.

“Hosting an event like the Tour of Britain takes a lot of hard work and preparation. The postponement of the race is an understandable development as we are dealing with the effects of a global pandemic.

“I am delighted that the organisers have agreed to simply push the race back for 12 months. Our team has already carried out an immense amount of work for this year’s race, and this will prove essential when it comes to successfully hosting the opening stage next year.

“Having the Tour of Britain in Cornwall offers us a chance to show our wonderful corner of the world off to a global audience, and will provide a much-needed boost for our towns and our tourist industry next year.”

The organsiers of the Tour of Britian have issued the following statement today:

’Across the UK there are significant doubts around the potential to stage large-scale public events and gatherings such as the Tour of Britain as early as September and while any form of social distancing remains in place and there isn’t a vaccine available, people’s health and safety must come first.

’Local authority partners across Britain remain under considerable pressure with their priorities rightly elsewhere and so would not be able to contribute fully to the planning of the event, whilst also not being in a position to maximise the social, economic and community benefits that hosting a stage of the Tour of Britain brings to their area.

We pride ourselves on the Tour of Britain being the biggest and most prestigious cycle race in the UK, attracting over 1.5 million spectators to the roadside and inspiring many thousands of people of all ages to get on their bikes and to cycle more.

Holding the Tour of Britain behind closed doors or with extensive social distancing rules would not only be immensely impractical, but would rob our venues and spectators of these opportunities and go against everything that cycling, as a free-to-spectate and accessible event, stands for.

By moving this year’s planned route to September 2021 our venues and partners will be able to enjoy a full 12-month build up to the race and once conditions allow we look forward to engaging communities across all eight stages, from Penzance to Aberdeen.’

The dates for the 2021 event are from Sunday 5 to Sunday 12 September. The existing race arrangements will continue to apply and the route for Cornwall will remain the same, with the start in Penzance and finish in Bodmin.