The OVO Energy Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest professional cycle race, returned to the North East of England in September 2019, as the North of Tyne hosted the third stage of the race.
It was the first time the OVO Energy Tour of Britain linked all of the areas in the North of Tyne Combined Authority, with the route passing through Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Stage Three saw some of the world’s top riders and teams contesting a 182-kilometre (114-mile) route from Berwick-upon-Tweed, heading along the North Tyneside coast and into Wallsend, before continuing to Newcastle Upon Tyne city centre, with a spectacular finish on Grey Street.
On June 5 2019, the North of Tyne Tour of Britain schools programme was launched.
The programme offered schools in Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle the chance to get involved in different ways and book their perfect viewing spot for the race.
Mayor Jamie Driscoll said
‘The success of that event was a testament to the hard work done across all of the North of Tyne, from the people who were closing roads and looking after people’s safety to the pubs and BnBs who welcomed our visitors.’
Since the successful Tour of Britain we have pledged £3.5m to bring more big ticket events to the North of Tyne.
This Events Fund is part of a broader investment of £20m in the region’s creative, digital and tourism-based future.
It will bring more events like the Rugby World Cup, Tour of Britain Cycle Race, and Mouth of Tyne Festival to Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland.