Wales will host the decisive final weekend of the 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, with back-to-back stages through the hills and valleys of south Wales set to provide a spectacular finale – and what’s expected to be the final race of Geraint Thomas’ decorated professional career.
Stage 5 on Saturday 6th September will see the race visit Pontypool for the first time, with a route through Monmouthshire culminating in a double ascent of the iconic Tumble climb. Averaging 8.2% over 5km, the Tumble has only featured once before as a Tour of Britain summit finish – when Edoardo Zardini triumphed solo in 2014.
The following day, the race will start from the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport and make its way to a likely sprint or small-group showdown in central Cardiff. The route will pass Maindy Velodrome, where Thomas’ career began with the Maindy Flyers. It will mark a poignant homecoming for one of Britain’s greatest-ever cyclists.
A Welsh send-off for a Welsh great
The final stage from Newport to Cardiff will be only the third time in the modern Tour of Britain’s 21-year history that the overall finish has taken place in Wales. Cardiff last hosted the race’s conclusion in 2017.
With Geraint Thomas widely expected to retire after the race, the weekend is shaping up to be a national celebration of his two-decade career – a journey that began in the Welsh capital and has taken in Tour de France victory, two Olympic golds, and three world titles.
“It will also give local people a great chance to come and see the race and pay tribute to Welsh legend, Tour de France winner and Olympic champion Geraint Thomas,” said Torfaen Council leader Anthony Hunt.
Photo Credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.comThe Tour returns to The Tumble
The Tumble’s inclusion is a standout feature of the 2025 route. A long-time marker of domestic racing in the UK, the climb provides a stern GC test and will offer a dramatic backdrop for the penultimate day. Riders will climb it twice, adding tactical depth and climbing metres on a stage expected to shape the final standings.
With just one day to go, the GC battle could be all but decided by the summit of The Tumble – or it could set the stage for late attacks heading into the capital.
Celebrating Wales as a cycling nation
The Welsh Government, through its three-year partnership with British Cycling, has doubled down on its investment in elite and grassroots cycling. This year alone, it hosted the National Road Championships in Aberystwyth and will again welcome the world’s best men’s riders just months before Cardiff hosts a stage of the 2027 Tour de France.
“We’re excited to welcome the Men’s Tour of Britain back to Wales,” said Welsh Government Minister for Sport Jack Sargeant. “These final two stages represent another exciting chapter in Wales’ story as an internationally recognised destination for the very best cycling events.”
2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men Stages
- Stage 1 (Tue 2 Sept): Woodbridge to Southwold
- Stage 2 (Wed 3 Sept): Stowmarket to Stowmarket
- Stage 3 (Thu 4 Sept): Milton Keynes to Ampthill
- Stage 4 (Fri 5 Sept): Atherstone to Burton Dassett Hills Country Park
- Stage 5 (Sat 6 Sept): Pontypool to The Tumble
- Stage 6 (Sun 7 Sept): Newport to Cardiff
The full route details for the Welsh stages will be announced later in July.
Main photo credit: SWPix.com
