East Lancashire will play host to some of the world’s greatest cyclists as the opening stage of this year’s Tour of Britain is held in Greater Manchester on Sunday.

As a part of the 163.6-kilometre (101.7 miles) stage that starts in Altrincham and finishes on Deansgate in Manchester city centre the route will pass through Egerton, Belmont, Rivington and the edge of Blackrod as it makes its way between Ramsbottom and Wigan.

The race is expected to enter the region at 14:19 after 97.5 kilometres of racing, heading to Edgworth and then across the moors to Egerton. From there the route heads to Belmont before climbing Rivington Road – one of the final climbs of the stage – and descending to Rivington and through Grimeford village and the outskirts of Blackrod at around 14:57.

Temporary road closures will be needed so that the competitors can race safely. However, these ‘rolling’ closures will follow the athletes and local road closures are expected to be brief.

The impacted roads and approximate timings are:

Ramsbottom Road and Bury Road around the Walves Reservoir at circa 2-2.30pm

Blackburn Road coming into Egerton before turning right onto Longworth Road towards Belmont at about circa 2.20-2.50pm

Grimeford Lane and Dark Lane in Blackrod village at about 2.30-3.15pm.

Riders in the UK’s biggest professional cycle race, the Tour of Britain, will tackle one of the toughest hill climbs in the country when the event passes through Ramsbottom.

The highlight of the route is the mighty challenge that is The Rake.

The Rake is designated as one of the toughest hill climbs in the country for cyclists.

The climb is only 875 metres long the challenge is in its steepness, reaching a maximum gradient of 22 per cent (one in 4.8).

Riders will take on Rake pedalling towards Holcombe Brook with the incline flattening out around Exeter Cottage on Chapel Lane.

Spots to view the race around include the Black Bull Pub and the roundabout at the junction of Bury Road and Bolton Road in Edgworth, the Chetham Arms in Turton, Ciao Baby restaurant and Delph Sailing Club in Egerton, The Cherry Tree pub in Blackrod, The Black Dog pub and the view point on Sheep House Lane, Rivington Village Green Tea Room and Rivington Café.

Among the riders due to be racing are the previous two Tour of Britain champions Gonzalo Serrano (2022) and Wout van Aert (2021), with fans able to follow the action of the opening stage live on ITV4 from the moment racing begins in Altrincham at 11:45am.

The Tour of Britain culminates in South Wales on Sunday 10 September. Following the Greater Manchester stage the riders will race through Wrexham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Essex and Gloucestershire, creating an unforgettable sporting spectacle that is free for all to watch.

ITV4 will continue to broadcast live flag-to-flag coverage of every stage, as well as a daily highlights show, allowing fans in the UK to watch the action unfold wherever they are. International coverage will be available in over 150 countries courtesy of Eurosport and GCN+.