BRITAIN's biggest bike race could generate more than £2.5 million for Swansea's economy when it pedals into the city.

The third leg of the Tour of Britain road race will take place in the city next month.

Swansea Council says tens of thousands of visitors are likely to support the race, each spending around £80 in the city on the day.

It's estimated the race could be worth between £2.4 million and £2.7 million to Swansea.

Exciting

Russell Greenslade, manager of the Swansea Business Improvement District (Bid), which represents more than 700 businesses in the city centre, said: "This is an exciting event for our members to benefit from, with the figures advising an average spend of £79 per person when these type of one-day Tour of Britain events happen in a city.

"It certainly supports one of our core criteria of bringing more people into the city centre and into our members' businesses."

The Kingsway will host the Tour of Britain's sprint finish at the end of the event's third leg on Monday, September 13.

More than 100 cyclists from 17 teams will be taking part in the race, and they could include the likes of Olympic gold medal superstars Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas.

The third leg of the tour, and the only Welsh stage this year, starts in Newtown, and will see cyclists begin arriving in Swansea at about 1.30pm.

They will travel through the north of Swansea before making their way to the city centre via Hafod and Dyfatty. The route will then take in areas such as Orchard Street, St Helen's Road, Brynymor Road and Walter Road, before the cyclists tackle the gruelling climb up Constitution Hill.

When the tour tackled the steep cobbled street back in 1999, it was one of the highlights of the race, with crowds gathering to watch the amazing ascent.

The stage will finish with a sprint on The Kingsway.

History

Mick Bennett, technical director of the Tour of Britain, said: "I'm delighted to be bringing the Tour of Britain back to Wales and in particular to Swansea — a city with a rich cycling history.

"We've probably got the most exciting stage finish in the Tour of Britain's seven-year history planned in Swansea, with riders tackling the fearsome Constitution Hill just two kilometres from the finish on The Kingsway."

The race will mean The Kingsway, Dyfatty Street, New Orchard Street and Orchard Street will be closed from 5am to 6pm on the day.

Council officers said they would work to keep disruption to a minimum, and roads will be reopened as soon as the cyclists are through.

Chris Holley, Swansea Council leader, said: "This event presents a great opportunity for residents, sports fans and traders.

"The Tour of Britain's arrival in Swansea will give people the chance to watch world-class sport right here in the city, and will provide an economic boost with the thousands of visitors hopefully spending their money in local shops, restaurants and other businesses.

"The event will be broadcast on TV, which will further raise Swansea's profile as a destination and strengthen our reputation as a city capable of hosting major international events."

Visit www.tourof britainswansea.com

helen.keates@swwmedia.co.uk