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Wout van Aert wins Tour of Britain title as Carlos Rodríguez takes final stage

• Van Aert’s second-place finish enough to secure second title
• ‘I had a really hard time. I didn’t think it was possible’

Second place on the climbing stage into Caerphilly secured Wout van Aert his second overall title in the Tour of Britain. Compared with his 2021 victory , however, this was far from straightforward although his fine form had been clear from day one.

Through the hills of south Wales, Ineos’s Spanish starlet Carlos Rodríguez, the eventual stage winner, formed an impromptu alliance with local rider Steve Williams to push Van Aert to the edge, in the first of the eight stages where the Belgian’s Jumbo-Visma team were unable to exert any real grip on proceedings.

After Williams – who was guesting for Great Britain here – and Rodríguez had sprung clear on the climb of Bryn Du, high above Aberdare in the heart of the Rhondda, Van Aert’s teammates had been scattered to the four winds on the high moorland and the two strongest climbers in the race were rapidly forging a healthy advantage ahead of a small chase group, Van Aert faced the prospect of losing the race lead he had taken in winning Thursday’s stage into Felixstowe . “I had a really hard time, I didn’t think it was possible to take the general classification.”

The 28-year-old’s only option was to remain calm and hope that enough of his teammates could battle their way up to him, and that they and other squads would take the strain before the race arrived at the final brace of climbs over Caerphilly Mountain in the last eight miles. “I tried to stay calm, as I knew there were two climbers in front, and they would spend a lot of energy getting to the finish circuit.”

In the hiatus while he waited for Steven Kruijswijk and Nathan Van Hooydonck to catch up, Williams and Rodríguez raced into a lead that briefly exceeded 90 seconds.

With several other teams assisting Jumbo-Visma, the duo’s lead evaporated like the puddles from the rain showers that had greeted the race when it entered the hills, and on reaching Caerphilly they were only a handful of seconds ahead.

The first climb of the mountain broke Williams, a 27-year-old from Aberystwyth who has quietly forged a good career racing for the Bahrain-Merida and Israel-Premier Tech team, and who this year had won the Arctic Race of Norway. Rodríguez forged ahead on his own, but although he has had an outstanding year with a stage win and fifth overall in the Tour de France, he was less of a threat to Van Aert, having lost time in a crash in the Cotswolds on Saturday’s stage into Gloucester.

The Spaniard needed to finish 40sec ahead of Van Aert and his 20sec advantage with one 7km lap of the finish circuit put the race in the balance. With no teammates left at his side, the Belgian had to control the Spaniard’s lead while simultaneously ensuring that he did not crack, and that he did not lose ground to three threats for the overall title: Rodríguez’s Ineos teammate Magnus Sheffield, the Norwegian Tobias Johannessen and the Australian Damien Howson, all of whom were a slender 3sec behind him overall.

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While Rodríguez did give the Ineos team a consolatory stage win after the withdrawal of their marquee rider Tom Pidcock on Saturday, he was only 11sec ahead of Van Aert on the line, giving the Belgian his third road race win of 2023. He has had a frustrating mid-season, and it was about time he got the rub of the green.

This was a fine crescendo to a slow-burning week marked by six mass finishes in the first six stages, with 52 riders level on time 3sec behind Van Aert after Friday’s stage into Harlow , but it was far from plain sailing, with this most important climbing stage in effect split into two by a lengthy pause from racing with between 87km and 77km to go, when the race briefly stopped twice and then took a diversion to avoid a stretch of road which had been closed by an accident involving a motorcyclist. The incident was unrelated to the race, but it meant that the entire convoy had to be guided through back streets with racing neutralised and the bunch travelling at controlled speed.

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Riders to Watch at the 2023 Tour of Britain

Mathew Mitchell

• Published on August 31, 2023
• in Men's Cycling

The anticipation for the cycling world is reaching fever pitch as the British Isles gear up for their most celebrated race, the 2023 Tour of Britain . Not only does this competition offer fierce rivalries and tactical masterclasses, but it also showcases a range of prodigious talent. As the event looms on the horizon at the end of this week, the British cycling community is abuzz with excitement. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the awe-inspiring athletes who will undoubtedly make headlines.

Table of Contents

The Classics Specialist: Wout van Aert

Wout van Aert , Belgium’s cycling luminary, is a formidable presence in the Tour of Britain lineup. Once known as just a specialist in the Spring Classics, van Aert has also demonstrated a high level of versatility with impressive finishes in both stage races and one-day competitions. His capabilities now extend beyond merely being a classics specialist; his sprinting prowess and tactical intelligence make him well-suited for the undulating and varied British roads. Wout is a previous winner here as well, taking the GC victory in 2021 along with 4 stage wins.

The Young Prodigy: Tom Pidcock

Garnering a significant amount of attention is British sensation and Alpe d’Huez winner Tom Pidcock . This young prodigy has already carved out a name for himself in multiple cycling disciplines, including mountain biking, cyclocross, and road racing. The Brit scored his first World Championship XCO title in Glasgow recently to go with his gold in the discipline at the Tokyo Olympics. Entering the Tour of Britain, Pidcock is more than a hometown favourite; he is a force to be reckoned with and a strong contender for the overall title. His tactical acumen and audacity in making breakaways and surprise attacks make him not just the future but also one of the current faces of British cycling.

The Sprint King: Sam Bennett

In the realm of sprinting, the name Sam Bennett rings loudly. This Irishman has gained a reputation as one of the fastest cyclists on the planet. Bennett will be particularly focused on the Tour of Britain’s sprint stages, aiming to add to an already illustrious list of wins. It’s been a quieter season at the top WorldTour level, with a good few near misses. The Tour of Britain is where Bennett cut his teeth around 10 years ago, taking a stage win in 2013. His blistering speed and uncanny ability to find the right wheel in the frenzied final kilometres make him a perennial favourite for any flat finish.

Last Year’s Winner: Gonzalo Serrano

The reigning champion, Gonzalo Serrano of Spain, returns to the British roads carrying the honour and the pressure of his previous victory. Winning the Tour of Britain is an achievement, but successfully defending the title is something else altogether. He’s had a quiet 2023 season so far, finishing no higher than 6th in any race all season. The spotlight will undoubtedly be on Serrano as he attempts to etch his name into the annals of the Tour of Britain yet again, underlining his formidable capabilities.

The Dark Horses: Kamiel Bonneu, Nils Politt, and Corbin Strong

Although perhaps not the headliners, Kamiel Bonneu, Nils Politt, and Corbin Strong should not be overlooked. Bonneu, best known for his stunning stage win at the 2022 Tour of Britain from a breakaway, is a rider who can make a significant impact when least expected. Politt is synonymous with aggressive, attritional racing and could emerge as a surprise decent GC package. On the other hand, Strong, the New Zealand native, has been consistently high placing, without taking a win this season. His ability on rolling courses might make him a stage winner here or a points jersey contender.

The British Hopes: Mark Donovan and Ethan Vernon

Alongside Tom Pidcock, there are other British talents to watch, notably Mark Donovan and Ethan Vernon. Donovan’s performances have been remarkably consistent across stage races, making him a reliable figure in any team. He was 9th in GC here in 2021 and might be an outside threat for the GC podium this year. Meanwhile, Vernon, winner at the World Championships on the track will be full of confidence with a subsequent stage win at the Deutschland Tour. The course this year is missing a time trial for Vernon to be a true GC threat.

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Destination Must-See's

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England’s Lake District:

Lose yourself in the natural beauty of this mountainous region in northwest England dotted with tranquil lakes. One of the picturesque villages in the region is Grasmere, once home of and inspiration to the romantic poet William Wordsworth. Perhaps you will take a sail on one of the lakes and take in the peaceful backdrop of lush green mountains, serene shorelines and pristine calm waters dotted with tiny islands.

Stonehenge:

Walk in the footsteps of so many before you when visiting prehistoric Stonehenge. This mysterious rock formation dates back to the Stone Age and remains one of the world’s most famous sites. Standing in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, Stonehenge is perhaps the most important prehistoric monument in England. The experience of seeing this timeless monument is not to be missed – it will surely be a highlight of your visit.

This large, deep freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extends approximately 23 miles southwest of the city of Inverness. Loch Ness is best known for the alleged sightings of the Loch Ness monster. While Loch Ness is not the largest Scottish loch by surface area, it is the largest by volume, with its deepest point at 755 feet. Along the shore, you will find the ruins of Urquhart Castle. This once mighty site rests on the headwaters of Loch Ness and dates back as far as the 13th century.

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Expert Advice

Think “go to the right.” It is their natural flow of traffic even when it comes to walking. It is important to not only look both ways when crossing the street, but also when on an escalator, stand to the right. When walking down the street, stay alert and follow the flow – to the right.

Expect to be offered tea, a lot. The British love their tea and not only during afternoon tea, any time for any reason. But you should know there is a “proper” way to drink it. The rules are – sit up straight, do not blow on it, take small sips with your pinky down, and put the cup on the saucer between sips. Now you are prepared to sip away.

Bring a raincoat and umbrella, as it rains one out of three days in the UK. It does vary from region to region, but generally speaking, they are important items to have on hand at all times.

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Exclusive: Men’s Tour of Britain stages cut to seek parity for women’s race

British Cycling aim to increase women’s Tour of Britain to six stages in 2025 in order to create full parity between the two events

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The men’s Tour of Britain will be cut to six stages in 2024 in order to lay the foundations for full parity with its women’s equivalent in the years ahead, Cycling Weekly has learned.

It follows on from the national governing body announcing it will organise both races in house under its new major events arm . 

In a statement shared with Cycling Weekly on Wednesday, British Cycling CEO Jon Dutton confirmed the details of the plan and explained that talks were scheduled with the UCI in order to gain permission to scale back the ProTour event. 

"We’ve taken the decision to run the 2024 edition of the Tour of Britain Men over six days rather than the current eight, and we intend to seek permission from the UCI to extend the Tour of Britain Women to six days from 2025," he said. 

"This would bring full parity to the events after our decision to align the event names this year – something which is fundamental to our vision for major cycling events in Britain."

Cycling Weekly understands that full parity includes the overall length of the race as well as future prize money at this stage. 

British Cycling has contacted various men’s teams to gather opinion on the potential reduction of race days. Dutton explained that there was support for the decision for a variety of reasons. 

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"From discussions with a number of men’s teams over recent weeks there is strong support for the decision, and a feeling that the reduction in the number of stages will provide more compelling and animated racing for riders at the roadside to enjoy," he explained. 

Cycling Weekly revealed last month that the shortened Tour of Britain Women is set to start in Wales in June . 

Dutton said that full route details regarding the women's race would be made public within the next fortnight. 

He said: "Our host towns and cities for the Tour of Britain Women will be announced within the next two weeks, and we are also now very close to finalising our hosts for the Tour of Britain Men. 

"Our team has worked around the clock to safeguard the future of the races in an incredibly short timeframe, and we’re also hugely thankful for the commitment of those who have stepped forward to support us this year and those that have pledged their support for 2025 and beyond.

"While 2024 was always going to be about protecting the immediate future of the races, we remain hugely excited by the opportunities to modernise and grow the events in the years ahead." 

British Cycling took over the organisation of both events after the collapse of the former promoter, SweetSpot . After being beset by financial difficulty, the firm entered liquidation in January . 

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Tom joined Cycling Weekly in early 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine. 

He has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the recent Glasgow World Championships. He has also covered races elsewhere across the world and interviewed some of the sport's top riders including Tom Pidcock, Wout van Aert, Primož Roglič and Lizzie Deignan. 

When not writing news scoops from the WorldTour, or covering stories from elsewhere in the domestic professional scene, he reports on goings on at bike shops up and down the UK, where he is based when not out on the road at races. He has also appeared on the Radio Cycling podcast. 

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Tour of Britain 2023

Latest news from the race.

Future of Tour of Britain in doubt after British Cycling ends deal with race organiser

Wout van Aert secures overall title at Tour of Britain

Tour of Britain: Wout van Aert caught in final metres as Rasmus Tiller wins stage 7 reduced sprint

Stage 6: Van Poppel breaks Jumbo-Visma stranglehold

Stage 5 - Tour of Britain: Wout van Aert attacks solo to win

Stage 4 - Tour of Britain: Olav Kooij takes record fourth stage in a row

Stage 3 - Tour of Britain: Olav Kooij makes it three

Stage 2 - Tour of Britain: Two wins in a row for Olav Kooij with sprint victory

Stage 1 - Tour of Britain: Kooij and Van Aert score Jumbo-Visma 1-2

Tour of Britain overview

The Tour of Britain 2023 starts off on September 3 in Greater Manchester and concludes in Caerphilly, South Wales eight days later. The final stage will feature a return to the legendary Caerphilly Mountain, not undertaken since 2013, where the peloton will have to twice face the 1.3km ascent which averages 10.1% across its 1.3km.

This year’s race, ranked at UCI ProSeries level, marks the 19th edition of the modern Tour of Britain. No other incarnation of the professional race, which has its origins back in 1945, has ever run for longer than eight years. 

The final three stages of last year’s edition were cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth ll.  Gonzalo Serrano (Movistar) was leading the overall classification following stage 5, and therefore became the overall winner of the 2022 Tour of Britain.

Previous overall winners of the Tour of Britain include Wout van Aert (2021), Mathieu van der Poel (2019), Julian Alaphilippe (2018), Lars Boom (2011 and 2017), Steven Cummings (2016) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (2009 and 2015), Bradley Wiggins (2013), and Dylan van Baarle (2014). 

Join Cyclingnews' coverage of the 2023 Tour of Britain with race reports, results, photo galleries, news and race analysis.

Tour of Britain schedule

Tour of britain teams.

• Bora-Hansgrohe
• Movistar Team
• Equipo Kern Pharma
• Ineos Grenadiers
• Global 6 Cycling
• Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
• Saint Piran
• Trinity Racing
• Great Britain
• Jumbo-Visma
• TDT-Unibet Cycling Team
• Bolton Equities Black Spoke
• Team dsm-firmenich
• Team Flanders-Baloise
• Uno-X Pro Cycling Team

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Brabantse Pijl 2024: Favourites

The route of Brabantse Pijl – or, La Flèche Brabançonne – was revamped in 2021 in favour of a false flat drag to the line. The first edition with the new finish was won by Tom Pidcock, who outsprinted Wout van Aert and Matteo Trentin. Two years ago, the false flat-run in to the line served as a red carpet for Magnus Sheffield. The young American attacked inside the last 4 kilometres from a lead group with Remco Evenepoel, Tim Wellens, Benoît Cosnefroy, Warren Barguil, Ben Turner and Tom Pidcock. Sheffield powered to the win, while his team mates Pidcock and Turner shut down all attacks behind him. And last year’s race came down to to a two-up sprint in which Dorian Godon floored Ben Healy.

This year’s Brabantse Pijl is similar to last year, albeit somewhat shorter. Moreover, the finishing circuit features four instead of five climbs, so the route is – on paper – a little less demanding.

Favourites 2024 Brabantse Pijl

**** Michael Matthews, Tim Wellens, Stephen Williams *** Benoît Cosnefroy, Dylan Teuns, Quinten Hermans ** Tobias Halland Johannessen, Andreas Leknessund, Andreas Kron * Louis Vervaeke, Marc Hirschi, Axel Laurance, Alexander Kamp