Tour of Britain to race through West Berkshire

The race which begins on September 7 will complete eight stages in eight days spanning the breadth of England and Wales from Llandudno to London and will be passing through West Berkshire on Friday, September 12.
Organisers released details of stage six of the route today which follows 206 kilometres of road from Bath to Hemel Hempstead.
The West Berkshire element of the course lasts 28.4 kilometres, and cyclists are expected to arrive in the county near Bagshot at around 12:20. Riders will pass through Hungerford at 12:24, then following the A338, passing High Street and Charnham Street and finally heading north towards Boxford, Leckhampstead and entering Oxfordshire on the final onward leg towards Hemel Hempstead.
The last time the Tour of Britain was in the area was in 2008 when the race passed through Newbury on its second stage. The race featured three successful Beijing Olympians and nine Tour de France stage winners.
Although the riders for this year’s race are yet to be confirmed nine teams have so far announced they will be taking part including the British national team and Team Sky, where top rider Sir Bradley Wiggins competes, and Omega Pharma Quick Step who has Mark Cavendish in the squad.
Eight of the nine confirmed teams also competed in the Tour de France. Organisers said up to nineteen teams are likely to compete and the full line-up will be announced in the next few weeks.
Organisers also warned that roads along the route will be closed up to 15 minutes before the race arrives at each given point but the closures will vary depending on the speed of the race and nature of each route, but to allow for around 20-25 minutes before it re-opens.
The route will pass through Hungerford, Hoe Benham, Boxford, Leckhampstead, Eygpt and Lilley.
The roads used and expected times the race will pass are as follows:

A338 Sailsbury Road

A338 High Street Hungerford

A338 Bridge Street Hungerford

A4 Bath Road

Hoe Benham Lane

High Street Hoe Benham

Hangman’s Stone Lane

Shop Lane Leckhampstead

B4494

For more see this week's paper.