The countdown to the Tour of Britain is on as the UK's biggest professional cycle race passes through Dorchester next week.

Saturday 10th September will see the Tour of Britain's first-ever visit to Dorset for what promises to be an exciting day of cycle racing.

Here's everything you need to know if you're looking to go along and watch.

The race route times

The full Tour of Britain Stage 7 Race map can be found here. You can zoom into the map to see the precise cycle route the competitors will take.

The estimated timings of when the race will pass through the larger towns and villages are as follows: -

• West Bay – The Esplanade: 11am (click for spectator information)
• Burton Bradstock: 11:15am
• Abbotsbury: 11:26am
• Chickerell: 11:38am
• Weymouth: 11:41am
• Dorchester: 12:06pm
• West Lulworth: 12:33pm
• Corfe Castle: 12:54pm
• Wareham: 1:02pm
• Bere Regis: 1:18pm
• Blandford Forum: 2:04pm
• Wimborne Minster: 2:24pm
• Verwood: 2:45pm
• Victoria Road - Ferndown: 3pm (click for spectator information)

Tips for spectators

• Take note of the stage route, road closures and race timings that may affect you
• Grab a safe spectator spot early and enjoy the build up to the peloton arriving
• If you can't get to a start or finish location, check out where your nearest sprint points or ŠKODA King of the Mountains climbs are along the route
• There will be an advance vehicle 15 minutes ahead of the race, keeping you up-to-date with what is happening in the Tour of Britain
• Do not obstruct the riders in any way. Keep children and animals back from the roadside
• The whole stage is live on TV. ITV4 will be showing flag-to-flag live coverage of the entire stage plus a nightly highlights programme, bringing you all of the best bits of the day's action

Road closures

A rolling road closure will be enforced on the stage route. This means roads on and around the race route will be closed to traffic by Police Escort Vehicles.

Closures are in place for a short period (usually around 30 minutes) to allow the race to pass safely. To make sure the route is safe for the public and competitors, additional areas have been identified that will be closed slightly longer in duration to the main rolling closure (such as West Bay and Ferndown). You may wish to travel to these areas using alternate means, such as cycling or public transport, as parking will be restricted.

For details of timings, road closures and alternative routes, check the Dorset Council website.

A map showing the road closure for the Tour of Britain. From One Network.

Other important information

No Parking

The route is marked with yellow advanced warning signs in the run-up to the Tour of Britain. Don't park on the route on the day - if necessary, vehicles may be removed.

Caution

Keep children back from the edge of the road and put animals on a lead, away from the roadside. Riders pass by very fast, and keep flags, objects and photography equipment out of the road. Face the oncoming riders and race convoy at all times.

Police

The Tour of Britain is escorted along the route by trained police officers and escort motorcyclists. If you are asked to stop by an officer, please listen carefully and obey their instructions.

You can find out more information about Stage 7 of the Tour of Britain on the official website.