Final stage route revealed for 2026 Tour of Britain in the Borders
Last updated 1st Jul 2026
The route for the final stage of the men's Tour of Britain cycling race has been revealed, with some of the world's leading riders set to take on a challenging 160-kilometre course through the Scottish Borders.
Starting and finishing in Earlston on Sunday, September 6th, the event passes through the town twice more with two 19-kilometre finishing circuits ahead of the final sprint to decide who will be crowned champion - giving spectators plenty opportunities to catch the action.
The stage begins by heading towards Smailholm before continuing towards Kelso, turning off just before the town to pass through Hume, Greenlaw, Charterhall and Duns.
The peloton will then face one of the toughest sections of the race in the Lammermuir Hills, passing Whiteadder Reservoir before climbing Redstone Rig and Duddy Bank.
After descending into Greenlaw and continuing to Gordon, the race returns to Earlston, where riders will complete two laps of a 19-kilometre circuit taking in Smailholm before the finish.
Scottish Borders Council says the route offers several opportunities for communities across the area to watch the race.
The region has hosted the event 12 times in the last 17 years, but this is the first time it will have staged a finale.
Councillor Scott Hamilton, the local authority's Executive Member for Economic Growth and Developing the Borders, said: "Once again we have a fabulous Scottish Borders stage of the Tour of Britain and lots of opportunities to see the race, especially in Earlston, Greenlaw and Smailholm.
"This will be the first time that we have ever hosted the final stage of the Tour, so it will be a fantastic occasion, and 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."
The five-stage race will cover 910.3 kilometres (565 miles), with almost 8,814 metres of climbing, beginning in Lincolnshire before travelling through East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire ahead of its finale in the Borders.
Organisers say the route has been designed to provide a fitting test for some of the world's best riders.
Jonathan Day, Director of Events for British Cycling Ventures, said: "It is always exciting to reveal the stage routes for the Lloyds Tour of Britain. It's the news fans have been waiting for, so they can plan the best positions to watch the world's best riders in the UK.
"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 Tours are one of the largest free-to-spectate events in Britain, so we are thrilled to be bringing the men's route from Lincolnshire, through East and North Yorkshire, all the way to Earlston in the Scottish Borders.
"The route brings unique challenges to the riders, while delivering a backdrop which shows the best of Britain, from the beautiful coastline, across the highways, through our stunning countryside, and up some iconic and challenging categorised climbs."
Recent editions of the Tour of Britain have featured some of the sport's biggest names, including Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Tom Pidcock and Julian Alaphilippe.
Borders riders have also featured prominently in recent years, with Kelso's Oscar Onley - ruled out of this year's Tour de France following a crash, after equalling the greatest performance every by a Scottish rider by finishing fourth last year - competing on home roads in both 2022 and 2024, while Peebles rider Callum Thornley spent much of the Scottish Borders stage at the front of the race in 2024.
The event coincides with the final day of Edge Fest, with Ronan Keating, Tinie Tempah and Generation GBX due to book in at Lilliardsedge Holiday Park - nine miles down the road - but it's unclear if traffic on the A68 will be affected.
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