Suffolk to host opening stages of Tour of Britain

Lowestoft played host to one of the stages of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men race last year

Suffolk will host two stages of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men cycle race later this year, it has been announced.

The country's biggest professional cycling event will return to the county on 2 and 3 September.

Towns including Woodbridge, Southwold and Stowmarket will see about 100 riders passing through during the event.

It comes a year after the county hosted the final stage from Lowestoft to Felixstowe.

East Suffolk will host the first stage of the race, starting in Woodbridge and ending in Southwold.

A day later the second stage of the race will start and finish in Stowmarket.

This year's event will mark the first time since 2012 that the overall race has begun in the county, with a debut for Woodbridge as a host venue.

While Southwold has never hosted the men's race, it has twice seen the women's race visit.

The exact stage routes will be published later in July while other host venues for the other four stages will be announced over the coming weeks.

Areas that will see the race pass through include Debenham, Eye, Sudbury, Hadleigh, Wickham Market, Aldeburgh, Saxmundham, Framlingham, Halesworth, Bungay and Beccles.

Framlingham will welcome back the race to its streets later this year

Sarah Whitelock of East Suffolk Council said she was "excited" to welcome the tour back to the district, which was echoed by Andy Mellen, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council.

John Ward, leader of Babergh District Council, described the race as a "fantastic opportunity".

Jonathan Day, managing director of British Cycling Events, added: "We are delighted to begin our announcements with the news that East Suffolk will host the opening stage, and two new venues – Woodbridge and Southwold – will appear on the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men map.

"Then moving onto stage two and a huge thanks to our partners at Babergh and Mid Suffolk, which will see Stowmarket become the third new venue for the men's race, ensuring a fantastic opening two days in the beautiful Suffolk countryside."