LIVE: Hundreds of cycling fans line streets of Altrincham as Greater Manchester stage of Tour of Britain begins

Cycling fans are gathering in the sunshine in Altrincham this morning as the Greater Manchester stage of the Tour of Britain gets underway.

British cycling's premier road cycling event will set off from the town centre today (3 September) as the borough of Trafford was crowned the hosts of the start this year.

It's the first time Greater Manchester has hosted the race’s Grand Départ since 2004. The race will see over 100 of the world's top riders setting off from the market town.

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A star-studded peloton will compete over a 163km route through Trafford, Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and Salford before an expected sprint finish on Deansgate. The big climb of the day come in Ramsbottom up the notorious Rake to Holcombe Hill.

The race will start around 11.45am outside Altrincham Market with the first riders expected to cross the finish line around 3.30pm.

Following the Greater Manchester Grand Départ, the Tour of Britain 2023 will race through Wrexham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, and Essex, before finishing in South Wales on Sunday 10 September. Over one million spectators are expected to line the route of this unforgettable, free-to-attend sporting event.

This year’s Tour of Britain stage in the city will further add to Manchester’s connections with cycling. As well as being the home of British Cycling - the national governing body - Manchester hosted the finale of last year’s Tour Series, the free circuit race series for the UK’s top domestic teams and riders.

For more details about the route, including all the road closures in place, click here.

We will be bringing you all the latest updates