Possibility 2022 Tour of Britain could visit Hucknall again as Nottinghamshire County Council agree in principle to host a stage of the event

The UK's premier cycling event, the AJ Bell Tour of Britain is set to return to Nottinghamshire in the Autumn of 2022 after a four-year absence.

The news comes after Nottinghamshire County Council agreed in principle to operate a stage next year after talks with AJ Bell Tour of Britain officials.

Nottinghamshire hosted a stage of the UK's biggest cycling race in 2017 and again in 2018 leading to national and international interest in the county.

On both occasions the route brought the cyclists through Hucknall. Residents will have to wait a while to find out if this will again be the case as full details of next year's route and timings are not expected to be confirmed until early 2022.

The stage in 2018, which saw cyclists ride from West Bridgford to Mansfield, attracted 250,000 spectators, making it the largest sporting event in Nottinghamshire's history.

Nottinghamshire also received an economic windfall from the tours with £3.9m spent by participants and spectators in 2018 on accommodation, food and drink and shopping.

Councillor Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "I'm thrilled the Tour of Britain is set to return to Nottinghamshire in 2022, an event like this has the potential to give our county a huge boost after the challenges of the pandemic.

"We had a hugely successful time hosting stages of the Tour in both 2017 and 2018, and I would expect the same for 2022.

"There are countless benefits to the Tour of Britain returning for our businesses, for our communities, for our health and for Nottinghamshire, including the chance to again be on a global stage which we deserve.

"The Tour of Britain coming back to Nottinghamshire would also play an important part in the economic recovery of our county and show we are bouncing back stronger than ever.

"Everyone should be very excited at the prospect of the Tour coming back to Nottinghamshire, every corner of our county could get something positive and long-lasting from its return."

The next step to the Tour returning to Nottinghamshire is for the county council's Communities Committee to give it the green light a week on Wednesday.

Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of the county council's Communities Committee, said: "I'm sure councillors will remember how successful the Tour of Britain was for Nottinghamshire previously and I am delighted we have the opportunity again to host a stage."

The modern AJ Bell Tour of Britain started in 2004, and apart from cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, takes place annually every September, over eight days.

The race attracts the world's top teams and riders, alongside the best British based teams and riders, with a field comprising of Tour de France winners, Olympians and World Champions.

The eight-stage 2022 tour will start in Aberdeenshire and finish on the Isle of Wight, with further details about when and where stages will take place expected to be revealed in due course.

AJ Bell Tour of Britain Race Director Mick Bennett said: "The Tour of Britain had a fantastic time in Nottinghamshire in 2017 and 2018, on both occasions participants and spectators enjoyed a brilliant atmosphere.

"Nottinghamshire has a rich sporting heritage making the opportunity to hold a stage in the county even more special.

"It is fitting that the draft contract for next year has been announced as the 2021 Tour gets underway.

"We are delighted to be working again with Nottinghamshire County Council and look forward to putting pen to paper on a final contract in the near future."