Where to watch the Tour of Britain in Wells

It is almost here – the biggest sporting event in Wells for many years takes place this week.

The Tour of Britain bicycle race rides into our city and the surrounding area on Friday and many sports fans are planning where they are going to stand to watch the spectacle.

Many will pop out from their homes or workplaces if they are on the route and view there, but for those lucky enough to not be at work on Friday, here is a comprehensive look at the route to give you an idea of where to head.

The riders will first near the Wells area as they approach Cheddar from Wedmore. There is a sprint at the foot of Cheddar Gorge at roughtly 12.15pm before the climbers take over and tackle the 5km-long climb up the Gorge up on to the Mendip Hills.

Out of the Gorge the route follows the B3135 across the Mendips, skirting Priddy, and passing through the Miner's Arms crossroads before sweeping past Stockhill Woods and on to Green Ore.

The riders will go straight across the crossroads at Green Ore on to Burnt Wood crossroads where again they go straight on until the road meets the A37.

Here the route turns right along the A37, going over the Beacon crossroads and down Long Hill into Shepton Mallet, which should be reached at about 12.43pm.

After the Downside Inn, the race forks right to run past Right Price DIY and under the viaduct, past Shepton Mallet Infants School and on to the roundabout by the police station.

The riders will head right here, down into Bowlish and along the A371 towards Croscombe.

Once through Croscombe, the race continues along the A371 past Dulcote and Dinder and heads into Wells along the relief road.

At the roundabout by the Sherston Inn the riders will turn right into Priory Road for a sprint point at roughtly 12.58pm.

They will then cycle into Broad Street and then go the wrong way up the High Street, bending left up Sadler Street.

At the top of Sadler Street, the route forks right up New Street and continues up New Street where it joins the A39.

The climbers and those hoping for stage victory will then get seriously interested, as the stage goes left into Ash Lane and then immediately right up the Old Bristol Hill for the last climb of the day, at approximately 1.04pm.

The climb weaves up through Upper Milton and Rookham before peaking at the end of Durston Drove.

From there, the route continues on to the Hunter's Lodge crossroads, going straight across to run alongside Priddy Mineries and Stockhill Woods again.

At the Miner's Arms crossroads the riders turn right and do the whole loop again, passing through Shepton at about 1.24pm.

The stage will finish in Priory Road at roughly 1.37pm and will most likely see a solo victor or breakaway group battling for the win, rather than a big bunch sprint finish.

WellsPeople will be at the roadside cheering the stars on, so check back here after the event for a post-stage report and photo galleries.