The AJ Bell Tour of Britain races to the Isle of Wight on Sunday 11th September 2022, starting from Ryde and finishing with an exhilarating climb for the title at the Needles Battery finish line.

Promising an exciting sporting spectacle against a spectacular Island backdrop, it will be culmination of racing for the teams who start in Aberdeenshire on September 4, making their way to the Isle of Wight for the eighth and final stage.

Over 100 of the world’s best road riders will push off from the seaside start line at Ryde mid-morning this September, the start of a grueling 150km race across the Isle of Wight.

Passing through many of the Island’s charming villages and boutique towns, there are plenty of opportunities for spectators to catch the race roadside, as the pros do battle by bike around the Isle of Wight.

Spectators along the route can expect a buzzing bike filled day, with an electric atmosphere, warm hospitality, and a community celebration of the race wherever you choose to watch.

The Isle of Wight’s unique landscape offers natural variation and challenges across the course and is often cited as one of the best cycling destinations in the world.

A particular highlight will be the steep spiraling hills in and out of Ventnor. Fast hair-pin declines down to the beach and almost vertical corkscrew climbs back out of the town, often with gradients of 1 in 4, will see riders tested to their very limits and provide captivating viewing.

The approach to the finish line is 39km of hard cycling along the Military Road, a long scenic stretch on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, with views of white cliffs and out to the English Channel, often voted one of the most picturesque roads in Europe. 

The big finale takes places at the National Trust’s Needles Old Battery, offering breath-taking views on all sides, and a sloping hillside to catch the end of the race.

Overlooking the world famous-coloured cliffs of Alum Bay, riders face the ultimate hair pin climb to the chequered flags, high above the iconic Needles, the world-famous stacks of chalk rising from the sea off the Isle of Wight.

Taking every ounce of mental and physical strength they can muster after almost four hours of fast paced cycling, the race could be won or lost in this final challenge on the way to the finish.

As well concluding the Isle of Wight stage of the race, the Needles finish line concludes the 2022 AJ Bell Tour of Britain, deciding both the stage and overall winner.

Mick Bennett, AJ Bell Tour of Britain race director, said:

‘I know that the Isle of Wight stage is going to be a spectacular and fitting finale to this year’s AJ Bell Tour of Britain. Working with our partners on the Island, we’ve designed a route that visits all the main towns, shows off its culture and history, and makes sure that the battle to be crowned our 2022 champion goes down to the wire.

‘I’m already hearing stories of people booking their trips across the Solent for the stage – I have little doubt that, once race fans have seen how great the Isle of Wight is to ride a bike, it will become a go-to destination for cyclists of all ages and abilities!’

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member for regeneration and business development, said:

‘We’re so proud to be hosting the final of the country’s most prestigious cycle race event right here on the Isle of Wight.

‘Wherever you are on the Island you won’t be far from the route, and hopefully that will mean we have great crowds out to support some of the world’s top professional cyclists.

‘This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the stunning landscapes of the Island as a top class cycling and holiday destination, as well as providing a stern test for the riders in what will be a challenging finale.’

All seven stages of the race can be watched on ITV4 in the UK and will be broadcast in more than 20 territories around the world.