Opening stage of Tour of Britain finishes on Suffolk coast

Image source, SWpix.com
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Olav Kooij of Team Visma won the first stage on Tuesday
Image source, SWpix.com
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Tens of riders raced through East Suffolk delighting crowds as they went
Image source, SWpix.com
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Bunting was put up around towns and villages, included the start in Woodbridge
Image source, SWpix.com
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The first stage ended at 15:05 BST in Southwold, having also visited Aldeburgh and Thorpeness (pictured) elsewhere on the coast
Image source, Jon Wright/BBC
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Some spectators came out in their best finery for the race
Image source, Luke Deal/BBC
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Crowds began to gather early in Woodbridge ahead of the start of the race
Image source, Richard Daniel/BBC
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There are 114 riders from 20 countries taking part in the Tour, representing 19 professional teams
Image source, Luke Deal/BBC
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The opening stage of the race started at 11:00 BST in Woodbridge
Image source, John Fairhall/BBC
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Cyclist Geraint Thomas spoke with reporters prior to the start of the race
Image source, Luke Deal/BBC
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Fans were keen to catch a sight of Geraint Thomas ahead of his final professional race
Image source, Richard Daniel/BBC
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The cyclists will cover 342km (212 miles) of Suffolk roads during the first two stages
Image source, Luke Deal/BBC
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Teams were presented to the crowds ahead of the start of the race in Woodbridge
Image source, Richard Daniel/BBC
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Racers successfully passed through Butley after a water main pipe burst on Monday - causing a reroute along a single track road

Alice Cunningham

BBC News, Suffolk

2 September 2025

The world's best riders whizzed through the streets of Suffolk as the country's biggest cycling race got under way.

The Lloyd's Tour of Britain Men's opening stage began in Woodbridge at 11:00 BST.

Riders raced through East Suffolk, taking in Aldeburgh, Leiston, Saxmundham, Framlingham, Halesworth, Bungay, Beccles and Wrentham - before finishing in Southwold at about 15:05 BST.

Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to cheer on the peloton before the second stage takes place on Wednesday, starting and finishing in Stowmarket.

Cyclist Geraint Thomas OBE, who previously won the 2018 Tour de France, is taking part in what will be his final professional race.

The Tour will conclude in his home city of Cardiff on Sunday.

"The main thing is enjoying it really, making the most of it, something to remember," he said prior to the opening stage.

"We've got a strong team here, so I'm doing my bit for the boys.

"I'm not really in the shape to win myself, but we've got some good guys here to perform."

A small part of the route had to be altered through the village of Butley after a water main pipe burst.

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Opening stage of Tour of Britain finishes on Suffolk coast

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