EXCITEMENT is building as a world class cycling race is set to pass through beautiful villages. 

Stage five of the tour will set off from Felixstowe before taking in the quaint areas of East Bergholt, Cattawade and Brantham. 

It will then finish in Felixstowe. 

The final six kilometres of the race will replicate the final stage of the Women’s Tour in 2021, where world champion Elisa Balsamo claimed an emotional victory. 

The fifth stage of the tour will be over 190 kilometres in distance and include over 1,300m in total elevation. 

It comes as another boost to the area after the Women's Tour raced through Manningtree and surrounding villages last year. 

Karen Chapman, Suffolk Growth partnership manager, said: “The return of the Tour to Suffolk, with a stage finish in Felixstowe, is an exceptional opportunity to showcase the county’s natural beauty and visitor experience to local, national, and international audiences.

"Suffolk Growth are proud to be a partner in this year’s tour, working closely with race organisers, and local partners to deliver a world-class event, generating direct community and economic impact, and raising the profile of cycling for both elite and leisure participants.” 

The Tour of Britain will start in Greater Manchester on Sunday, September 3 and is carried out in eight stages in the continues days, ending on September 10 in South Wales. 

Mick Bennet, Tour of Britain race director, is excited for the return of the cycling event to Suffolk. 

“The whole county has been incredible in its support of the Women’s Tour, which has visited Suffolk four times in that time.

"The crowd – and their noise – for that race’s finale in Felixstowe in 2021 was unbelievable. I reckon we’re in for a repeat of that come September.

“Given the race’s links to Suffolk now date back nearly 15 years, on behalf of the race I must say how grateful I am to Suffolk Growth and all of our local stakeholders for their continued support of the Tour.” 

The sporting event, which has established itself as one of the cornerstones of the UK sporting calendar, will be broadcast by ITV4. 

The race in Suffolk will take place on Thursday, September 7th.