A MAJOR cycling event is heading to the city of Southend next month, giving spectators a chance to watch the thrills of road racing.

The Tour of Britain, UK’s most prestigious cycle race, takes place between September 3 and September 10.

It will see more than 100 of the world’s leading riders take part in an eight-stage event.

READ MORE >> Excitement building as Southend just weeks away from hosting Tour of Britain

Stage six of the event will commence in Southend for the first time. However, despite never previously hosting the modern Tour, Southend has a long association with the sport having hosted stages of the Milk Race in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

The city also recently hosted a stage of the Women’s Tour in 2021.

Visitors can catch a glimpse of the race in many parts of the city.

The race will begin between Robertos and The Three Shells on Western Esplanade at around 11.45am.

The route will then take athletes along the seafront, past the famous Southend Pier, and along the Eastern Esplanade via Thorpe Bay.

Cyclists will then go up through North Shoebury and onto Shopland Road and Sutton Road into Rochford at around 12:09pm, and through Canewdon and Ashingdon Road for around 12:30.

It will then head to South Woodham Ferrers as cyclists head to Harlow for the end of stage six expected at around 3.28pm.

As a result of the event, there will be road closure on the day. There will be both full closures and rolling road closures.

Full road closures in Southend include Western Esplanade – from its junction with Shorefield Road to Pier Hill / Marine Parade – from 4am until 3pm.

Marine Parade – from Southchurch Avenue to Western Esplanade / Pier Hill - from 9:30am until 1pm.

Pier Hill in its entirety from 9:30am until 1pm and also Hartington Road / Pleasant Road from 9:30am until 1pm.

Other road closures – which will be rolling – all include junctions off of Marine Parade, Eastern Esplanade, Thorpe Esplanade, Ness Road, North Shoebury Road, and Poynters Lane.

Car parks not impacted by road closures will all remain open for visitors to park in and walk down to the event.

More details can be found at tourofbritain.co.uk/stage-six-timetable/