Scottish stage of the Tour of Britain revealed

The organisers of The Tour of Britain have unveiled the route for stage seven of the race, which will take the riders along 95 miles of hilly terrain south of Glasgow, host city of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, to DrumlanrigCastle.

The seventh stage includes the 2008 tour’s highest point, the 467m high MennockPass, and presents several opportunities for bonus points.

Starting from Glasgow Green, the course moves through the AvonValley and the Ayreshire hills before turning left for the first Hot Spot Sprint at Glespin. From there riders must face an E.ON King of the Mountains climb up Crawfordjohn and a quick descent for a second sprint through Sanquhar. 

The stage then traverses MennockPass in the Lowther Hills, reaching the tour’s highest point, and passes through Elvanfoot and Watermeetings before dropping down into Nithsdale for a Hot Spot Sprint at Thornhill.

Finally, the course turns back on itself and into the 120,000 acre Queensberry Estate where it reaches the race’s conclusion at DrumlanrigCastle.

Britain route director Graham Jones said of the route, “I’m sure we’ll see a small group escaping, and the size and location of the climb at MennockPass will help them stay clear to contest the finish in front of DrumlanrigCastle.”

Taking the start in London will be defending champion Romain Feillu, who sealed his overall Tour of Britain win in 2007 by picking up crucial bonus seconds at DrumlanrigCastle on the road to Glasgow.