Isle of Wight guide to Tour of Britain's last leg THIS WEEKEND

UPDATE: Following the death of The Queen, this event has now been cancelled

The much anticipated cycling event - years in the planning - will cover a 150km route from Ryde to Niton, and from St Helens to Yarmouth.

• Scroll down for...what you need to do if you live on the route; how to get involved through themed arts events; who to spot and where to see them; and news from the National Trust, which owns land on the final leg of Sunday's finale. 

Over eight stages, including the Isle of Wight's, the race covers 1,352.1 kilometres in total. It started in Aberdeen on Sunday, September 4 and will end at Alum Bay on Sunday, September 11.

• Read more: Isle of Wight Jazz Festival ELO tribute and The Zoots this week

Tour of Britain passes through Hawick, Scotland in September 2022. (Image: Tour of Britain.)

What do Isle of Wight residents have to do before the Tour of Britain arrives on the Isle of Wight?

If you live on one of the roads being used by the Tour of Britain, you need you be prepared for diversions and closures.

You will also need to move your car, from Saturday, September 10 until after the race finishes on Sunday.

Some areas will see longer closures, while others will be rolling closures.

Find your area and relevant instructions here...

• Read more: Travelodge includes Isle of Wight in best UK holiday destinations

How to get into the Tour of Britain spirit

Arts events are celebrating the Tour's arrival on the Isle of Wight.

In Ventnor, a themed film festival is underway until Sunday, featuring movies linked to cycling. Find the details HERE.

In Freshwater Bay, Dimbola Lodge's famous statue of the late, great Jimi Hendrix will be wearing lycra, inspired by the riders. 

In Cowes, Isle of Wight ferry firm Red Funnel will host a free Fanzone event at The Lawn Bar, Northwood House. The action will be shown on a big screen, from 10.30am until 7:30pm on Sunday, September 11. Expect a party atmosphere, drink and food from Cowes' Captain Pizza, along with live music. The Tour of Britain will also pass throught Cowes Green and Castle Hill during the day.

The Lawn Bar, Northwood will host the Red Funnel Fanzone. (Image: Red Funnel.)

𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀 🚍

Looking to head to the race village at The Needles this Sunday? There will be a service leaving Yarmouth Bus Station, right by our port, every ten minutes. pic.twitter.com/IRKMkgpVFU

— Wightlink Ferries (@wightlinkferry) September 7, 2022

• Have we missed anything? Email the Isle of Wight County Press on editor@iwcp.co.uk with details about YOUR event, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

How to watch the Tour of Britain

The full Isle of Wight Tour of Britain route. (Image: Tour of Britain.)

There are two ways to watch the AJ Bell Tour of Britain 2022.

Heading out to see it in person? Over the full eight stages of the race, a roadside audience of over one million spectators is expected.

When it reaches the Isle of Wight, there will be a vantage point near you.

If you prefer to see the action from the comfort of your sofa, ITV4 has live daily coverage. 

• Watch live or play catch up via ITV4 HERE
• We would LOVE to see your photos and video from the day and we will have reporters out and about across the Island, as well as a live blog on our website, countypress.co.uk. Want to share? Send photos and video to editor@iwcp.co.uk or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

Today, Wednesday, September 7 coverage starts at 11.15am and there is a highlights show at 8pm.

On Thursday, September 8, live coverage starts at 10.30am and there will be highlights at 9pm.

On Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10, coverage starts at 10.45am and highlights will be screened at 8pm.

• The Isle of Wight stage takes place on Sunday, September 11. Coverage starts at 10.45am and concludes with highlights at 9pm.

Which cyclists are taking part in the Tour of Britain?

Nils Politt. Photo: Tour of Britain. (Image: Tour of Britain.)

Olympic heroes, world champions and Grand Tour stage winners are all taking part. Here's a selection of riders taking on the challenge...

INEOS Grenadiers will be led by Yorkshireman Tom Pidcock, who is a Tokyo 2020 gold medallist and recent Tour de France stage winner. Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland) and Tour de France podium finisher Richie Porte (Australia) also feature in the line-up.

BORA – hansgrohe are hoping for success with Nils Politt, German road champion and former Tour de France stage winner, Marco Haller and Lukas Pöstlberger.

Israel – Premier Tech is led by two-time Tour de France stage winner Dylan Teuns, supported by Canadian climber Michael Woods and British rider Alex Dowsett.

Movistar Team sees America's Matteo Jorgenson alongside two-time Vuelta a Espana stage winner Imanol Erviti and Spain's Gonzalo Serrano.

Team DSM have Dutch sprinter Cees Bol and Australian climber Chris Hamilton.

The Great Britain team features 2019 road race champion Connor Swift, recent Tour de l’Ain stage winner Jake Stewart and emerging star Sam Watson.

Meanwhile, former Giro d’Italia stage winners Enrico Battaglin and Sacha Modolo return as part of the Italian Bardiani CSF Faizanè team.

How is the National Trust involved in the Tour of Britain?

The finish line of the final stage, of the A J Bell Tour of Britain will be at the National Trust’s Needles New Battery.

The Tour of Britain will take on the National Trust's Military Road on the Isle of Wight.. (Image: National Trust.)

In fact, the charity oversees 17 miles of Isle of Wight coastline and over 5,000 acres of countryside.

Over 100 of the world’s top cyclists will ride to the western tip of the Island, via a two kilometre climb up the Trust’s Needles Headland.

The the last 400m will take them to the New Battery - the toughest ending to any Tour of Britain in modern history.

Gary Meek, Visitor Operations and Experience Manager for National Trust Isle of Wight, said: "It’s incredibly exciting to have the finish line of such a prestigious event at one of our places and to welcome participants and spectators alike. 

To celebrate @TourofBritain the Old Battery will be open for free on 11 Sept (10.30am-5pm). There'll be refreshments and toilets but our exhibits will be closed. Please walk or come by bicycle though, as the road will be closed and there won't be any accessible parking available. pic.twitter.com/28wR13rRRw

— NT Needles Battery (@needlesbattery) September 7, 2022

The organisation recommends watching at Bembridge Windmill and Mottistone Gardens,(free parking, open 10.30am to 5pm for normal admission fee).

The race will take in the spectacular Military Road, via Brook and Compton (car parks available, charges apply).

The smaller car parks between Compton Chine and Freshwater will also be open.

Do not park on verges and see the video above for details of road closures.

The Needles Old Battery will be open on the day, for free (10.30am-5pm), however the New Battery will be closed. The race is due to finish there between around 2pm and 3pm.

The National Trust's Tennyson Down. (Image: National Trust.)

If you plan to visit Tennyson Down, the Needles Headland, or the Old Battery you are advised to walk or cycle, due to pressure in car parks and road closures.

There will be no accessible parking at the Needles Old Battery and the Southern Vectis Breezer bus will not be running up the Needles Headland, warns the National Trust.