Tour of Britain: Peebles to Drumlanrig Scottish stage revealed

The Tour of Britain has been a regular visitor to southern Scotland in recent years

The Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway will host the opening stage of the 2013 Tour of Britain cycle race.

The event gets under way on 15 September on a route from Peebles to Drumlanrig Castle.

Riders will cover 200km (124 miles) passing through Selkirk, Hawick, Gretna and Dumfries on their way.

Paul Bush, of EventScotland, said that with the mass participation Tour Ride the day before it would be a "great celebration of all things cycling".

The Scottish Borders has hosted the Tour of Britain three times previously, from Peebles in 2009 and 2011 and from Jedburgh in 2012.

Stuart Bell, Scottish Borders Council's executive member for economic development, said: "I am delighted that the Grand Depart of this year's Tour of Britain is returning to the Scottish Borders in 2013.

"It is a true reflection of the quality of the area as a cycling destination."

The Tour of Britain last visited Drumlanrig Castle in 2008, when Edvald Boasson Hagen won, while Dumfries has hosted stage finishes in the past two editions of the race, both won by Mark Cavendish.

Finlay Carson, Dumfries and Galloway Council's events champion, said: "The dramatic pink sandstone backdrop of Drumlanrig Castle will be a unique and beautiful location for visitors to day one of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

"The Tour is one of our region's most outstanding live sports events and has built up a huge following since the Tour first visited in 2005."