FULL details of the Cumbria stages of the Tour of Britain have been unveiled.

At the official launch of the two stages of Britain’s premier road cycling event taking place in Cumbria, BAE Systems and United Utilities were announced as the main sponsors for the Cumbria leg of the race.

Stage 5 (Cockermouth to Whinlatter – the Time Team Trial) of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain - will be held on Thursday, September 6 and Stage 6 (Barrow to Whinlatter) is on Friday, September 7.

Stage 6 will include three Eisberg Sprints at Ulverston, Ambleside and Cockermouth, plus SKODA King of the Mountains climbs at Hawkshead Hill, Dunmail Raise, Fangs Brow and Whinlatter.

Cliff Robson, BAE Systems Submarines Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be supporting such a prestigious national sporting event, taking place right here in the heart of our community.

“There can’t be many places more challenging or beautiful to cycle than Cumbria, so it’s great the tour organisers have picked Barrow as the starting point for one of the stages.

“I’m sure the community will be out in the force to support the race, making it a memorable day for the town and visitors alike.”

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Transport, said: “Nowhere else in the country has been given this honour before and it’s a real coup for Cumbria.

“This is a huge opportunity for us to make the most of this from a tourist and economic perspective, and also to get even more people interested and enthused about cycling.”

Mick Bennett, race director of OVO Energy Tour of Britain organisers SweetSpot, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Cumbria with the OVO Energy Tour of Britain and are especially excited this year to be bringing two days of racing to the area.

“Cumbria and the Lake District has provided some of the most memorable moments in recent Tour history thanks to its combination of stunning scenery, testing climbs and huge crowds and we are sure that we will see more of this across September 6 and 7.

“Wherever fans choose to watch over the two days they will be treated to some of the very best cycling action.”