Tour of Britain could be returning to Honiton hint organisers

The Tour of Britain could be returning to Honiton next year, organisers have hinted.

Devon County Council and Tour organisers SweetSpot have confirmed that Devon will host Stage Two of the UK's premier cycle race on Monday, September 7, 2020.

Nub News contacted the Tour's organisers today (November 6) to ask if Honiton will be part of the 2020 route. The organisers are remaining tight lipped about the 2020 route but a spokesperson told Nub News: "Full details of the stage between Sherford and Exeter on Monday, September 7, will be revealed in due course.

"We were blown away by the support shown by residents of Honiton on our visits there in 2016 (in notably inclement weather) and 2018, so we appreciate the demand for us to return in 2020."

The Tour of Britain has already unveiled Cornwall as the location of the Grand Depart on Sunday 6 September 2020. The following day, the race will move across the border for the Devon Stage, which will start in the new community of Sherford in the South Hams and finish in Exeter city centre.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for cycling, said: "We're thrilled to be hosting another stage of The Tour. Crowds in Devon are among the most passionate and supportive in this race and I'm sure they'll do us proud again in 2020. Devon made history as the first stage of The Tour of Britain to host a summit finish when the race celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013, and we were the first stage to race through a building when the 2018 stage went through South Molton Pannier Market, and no doubt we'll have another exciting stage in prospect next year.

"With next year's Tour starting in our neighbouring county of Cornwall, it should be another spectacular Tour for our county. To give the riders and spectators two days in our region by racing through Devon as well as Cornwall has the potential for a big economic boost for our region and it's always a great opportunity to showcase Devon as a premier destination for cycling tourism."

The 2020 Tour of Britain will be the 17th edition of the modern era of The Tour – and it will be the 11th time Devon has featured in the race. In that time more than 1.7 million people have lined the routes in Devon to watch the stages in the county and it has generated over £41 million for the local economy.

Tour of Britain Race Director Mick Bennett said: "We are delighted to confirm the return of Devon to the Tour of Britain route in September 2020. The early announcement of our South West stages will contribute to making next year's race bigger and better than ever before and allow fans from across the UK to begin planning their trip to the opening weekend of the race."

Further details of the Devon stage will be announced alongside the full route for the 2020 Tour of Britain at the national launch of the race in the Spring.

Look out for further updates by clicking the red button below.