Tour of Britain will finish in Newark
Newark is set to be the host of the finish of Stage 6 in this year's , the OVO Energy Tour of Britain.
One hundred and twenty cyclists will race a 175-kilometre stage from Mansfield to Newark on Wednesday, September 6. Southwell is also included in the course in which Nottinghamshire will host an entire stage of the UK's premier road cycling race, the only county in the Midlands to do so.
The route will take in Eastwood, Hucknall, Gedling and the grounds of Newstead Abbey and the centre of Southwell.
After heading through Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park, the fourth stage will loop the north of the county and the towns of Worksop and Retford.
It will also pass through Harworth and Bircotes, passing the museum and memorial to 1965 world champion Tommy Simpson in the latter.
Derek Higton, Nottinghamshire County Council Service Director for Cultural Services, said: "This is a great coup for Nottinghamshire to host a full stage of the UK's biggest free-to-attend sporting event for the first time.
"With a worldwide audience of millions and 1.6 million spectators expected over the eight-day race, all eyes will be on Nottinghamshire.
"We are delighted at the prospect of some of the biggest names in cycling coming to our county and hope it inspires more people to cycle, whether that be to get to work, help them keep fit, or just to get out to enjoy the great outdoors.
"With 175 kilometres of Nottinghamshire roads due to be covered by the race, there will be plenty of opportunities for local spectators to be part of this fantastic event."
It will be the first time Nottinghamshire has hosted a start and finish of a stage of the Tour of Britain. The race last passed through the county in 2015 when a stage finished in Nottingham.
Brendan Moffett, chief executive of Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, said: "It is tremendous news for Nottinghamshire to host an entire stage of the Tour of Britain, the UK's biggest and most prestigious professional cycling race.
