Tour of Britain as it happened
3:20pm Congratulations to today's winner - Matty Brennan
Today was an absolutely incredible day as Stage 3 of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men made its debut through our area—from Milton Keynes all the way to a thrilling sprint finish in Ampthill’s Great Park.
It was the first time the race has ever visited Central Bedfordshire, making this moment even more special.
A big congratulations to today's winner, Matty Brennan, pictured receiving his prize from Councillor Adam Zerny - Leader of the Council.
Thank you
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support—whether you lined the streets in Woburn, cheered through Barton-le-Clay, watched the double loop around Northill and Old Warden, or gathered at the finish—your energy and enthusiasm made the event unforgettable.
We hope today inspired the cycling hero within each of us—whether you’re a lifelong rider or simply discovered your love for the sport. Thanks to all the volunteers, partners, and residents who made this day so memorable. It’s been a fantastic showcase of our region’s spirit, scenery, and community strength.
Here’s to more days like this—and to the riders continuing their journey across the UK!
2:35pm Matty Brennan wins!
2:26pm
Here's the latest from the official Tour of Britain Facebook page.
2:25pm so much going on - here's the latest from our Instagram page
2:20pm less that 7km to go - a bit about the finishing point for today's race
The finish line on Woburn Street is alongside Ampthill Great Park is owned and managed by Ampthill Town Council, assisted by The Greensand Trust.
Approximately 160 acres of parkland and woodland, including a Children's Play Area, Tennis Courts, Ampthill Town Cricket Club, Ampthill Town Football Club and Ampthill Angling Club.
Located near to the Great Park is Houghton House a shell of a 17th-century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
Built around 1615 for Mary, Dowager Countess of Pembroke, in a mixture of Jacobean and Classical styles: the ground floors of two Italianate loggias survive, possibly the work of Inigo Jones.
2:15pm
I think we have someone who may be cheating...
We're kidding - hats off to our friends at Bedfordshire Police for their hard work today, in making the event a great success.
2:07pm a bit about Ampthill
Before we get to Ampthill for the sprint finish, here are some facts about the market town.
Ampthill is a Georgian market town in the middle Greensand Country – an area of distinct, beautiful, and much-loved countryside.
The name 'Ampthill' is of Anglo-Saxon origin, as the first settlement was called 'Aemethyll', which literally means either 'ant-heap' or 'ant infested hill'. In 1219, King Henry III confirmed the right to hold a market on Thursdays in the town, and this remains a fixture of life in Ampthill to this day.
The Market Square was originally the heart of the town and the location of the medieval market. Katherine of Aragon was sent to Ampthill to reside in the castle in late 1532. Finally on 10 May 1533 a court met at Dunstable Priory (also in Bedfordshire) to adjudicate on the validity of her 24-year marriage to Henry VIII.
2:06pm
Race leaders have passed Cople for the second time. As locals will know, the centre of Cople is dominated by All Saints Church, but do people know it was originally built soon after 1087 by the de Beauchamp family and which later became part of Chicksands Priory.
The church was extended in the first part of the 16th century. It is Grade I listed.
A toll house stands at the junction with the A603 (Bedford to Sandyroad); the house dates from around 1770 and was used to collect tolls from the road users. It is one of only two toll houses that still exist in Bedfordshire.
2:05pm the weather has been kind to us
I was dubious earlier this morning about how the weather would work out, but it has been kind to us. Another fabulous shot of the riders in the Bedfordshire sunshine.
1:55pm
Great to see Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton at today’s Tour of Britain.
The double gold medallist, who hails from Stotfold, Bedfordshire, is one of Britain’s most successful track cyclists and a true local sporting hero.
1:46pm Ron from Moggerhanger is loving the action too!
We live very locally and I’m a regular cyclist. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see the tour as it was coming so near us. We thought there would be a few people here, and it turned out that there were hordes, and that was lovely to see.
A little insight from Ron also tells us that he cycles this route every week and he was disappointed at the speed they went up the hill because he is faster. Ron is also happy to let you all know he is the young age of 81!
Maybe you can taken them on next time Ron?
1:45pm
I don't know about you, but I can barely catch my breath with all this action!
Here's the latest update from the official Tour of Britain Facebook page.
1:43pm
George from Kempston is loving today's action too:
It’s really exciting to see the tour come through Bedfordshire, and it’s great that local companies such as The Cowshed Cafe have had the opportunity to support the tour, and that the community have come out to support.
1:42pm
Riders are not stopping at Priory House, but have riden passed nearby Shefford.
Situated at the confluence of two small rivers, the Hit and the Flit, the town has served as the local marketplace since ancient times.
The Banks and Taylor Micro-brewery produces some interesting real ales which are served in one of its own pubs in the town.
1:40pm welcome to Central Bedfordshire, Tamany!
Our team caught up with Tamany, who's visiting today from Kent:
I’ve come all the way for Kent to be in sunny Central Bedfordshire and watch the race! The roads are looking good, and the weather has done its job. It’s wonderful to see all the kids out enjoying it and it’s amazing so many people have turned out.
1:35pm
One of our team has caught up with Woody, from Bedfordshire:
I’ve been a cyclist all my life, and I think it’s brilliant that the Tour of Britain is here, so that locals don’t have to travel far to experience international sport. It’s been a fantastic day.
1:30pm
A quite spectacular shot of Cardington Hangars from the ITV4 helicopter. Picture courtesy of today’s coverage on ITV4.
1:26pm
Not long through Northill for the first of two visits...the sprint will take place on the climb out of Northill, outside Cowshed Café, run by cyclists for cyclists, who are running an event to coincide with the race and will be showing the action on a big screen. So expect to see plenty of cyclists at the roadside cheering the riders on!
1:25pm
A great shot of the leaders coming through Vinegar Hill, Upper Caldecote.
1:20pm
Some cracking photos from earlier today which we posted on our Facebook page.
1:15pm
Less that 60km to go for the race leaders. The finish area will look a little busier than shown in this picture from earlier this morning.
1:05pm
Great footage from the official Tour of Britain Facebook page a short while ago.
1:02pm Ampthill, basking in the sunshine and ready for the riders
1pm a bit about Henlow
As the race enters Langford we thought you like to know, the village is of Saxon origin, first mentioned in 944AD and at one time it had one or more fording points across the river. The name is based on the words long ford from the length of the settlement.
Henlow Common and Langford Meadows local nature reserve is beside the River Ivel. Lakes formed from old sand and gravel quarries are to the south of the village.
12:55pm running repairs!
Hats off to the mechanic hanging out of the support car to do running repairs — that’s not a job for the faint-hearted! Picture courtesy of today’s coverage on ITV4.
12:50pm
Another great action shot from earlier in Toddington.
12:45pm
Some lovely blue skies in the Northill area. That's what we like to see.
12:40pm
A great shot of the riders coming through Toddington earlier.
12:35pm
Pupils from Arnold Academy are out supporting the riders in Barton-le-Clay.
Did you know...Barton-le-Clay, literally Barton in the Clay, derives its name from its position being sited where the clay soil starts under Barton Hill. On 25 May 1956 the parish was renamed from "Barton in the Clay" to "Barton-le-Clay".
Barton Hills, which form the northeast extremity of the Chiltern Hills and are designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Much of this area of chalk downland is now a nature reserve, managed by Natural England.
12:30pm
Some lovely shots from Toddington on our Facebook page.
12:25pm
An update from the official Tour of Britain Facebook page a short while ago.
12:21pm
The race is passing through Toddington. The Icknield Way Path runs through the village on its 110-mile journey from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Suffolk. The Icknield Way Trail, a multi-user route for walkers, horse riders and off-road cyclists, passes through the village.
12:20pm A bit of background to Woburn
The race has not long gone through Woburn...fun fact: first recorded as a Saxon hamlet in 969. The name derives from the Saxon word “wo” meaning crooked and ‘burn’, a small stream.
12:15pm crowds are also gathering in Barton-le-Clay
12:04pm crowds are starting to gather in Toddington including a few four-legged friends
11:42am live footage from the Tour of Britain Facebook page as they make their way from Milton Keynes
11:35am
The race is underway. Stay tuned to all the action on ITV4 or on the Tour of Britain YouTube channel.
11:30am
A reminder of just how far the cyclists will travel today as the make their way from the start point in Milton Keynes to the end point in Ampthill. A journey of just over 122km.
11:20am
Don't forget to follow our Facebook page for updates throughout the day.
11:00am - the clock is ticking as we edge towards the start of today's race
Here are the stage timings, frm the British Cycling website.
- Start: Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes 11:30am
- Woburn 11:54am
- Toddington 12:13pm
- Streatley 12:25pm
- Barton-le-Clay 12:29pm
- Shillington 12:40pm
- Northill 1:19pm
- Cardington 1:25pm
- Shefford 1:42pm
- Northill 2:03pm
- Cardington 2:09
- Finish Woburn Road, Ampthill 2:40pm
10:40am
In case you didn't know....stage 3 of the Men’s Tour of Britain comes to Central Bedfordshire today!
Follow the action on our Instagram Stories where we’ll be sharing photos from along the route across this greener-than-usual (the leader’s jersey is green!) and pleasant land.
We’ll also be posting round-up images here on Facebook and doing our best to capture all the best from our social channels and the official Lloyds Tour of Britain channels too - X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
10:26am
Check out the latest from the official Tour of Britain Facebook page ahead of today's Stage 3 race.
9:25am - Woburn Road in Ampthill, where today's race finishes
9:20am
A reminder of today's route.
Our stage will begin in Milton Keynes, travel through many of our communities, and finish on Woburn Street in Ampthill.
The route will enter Central Bedfordshire via Woburn and Aspley Heath, head south past Toddington, through Barton-le-Clay, then across to Broom and circle Old Warden, before continuing past Haynes, on its way to what is predicted to be an exciting sprint finish in Ampthill.
Road closures
To support the safe running of the event, there will be a rolling road closure as the race moves through our area.
What is a rolling road closure?
A rolling road closure means that roads will be closed for a short time only, as the race passes through. Roads along the route will close shortly before the riders arrive and reopen once they have safely passed.
Most roads will only be closed for around 30 to 45 minutes, so disruption should be kept to a minimum.
9:10am
Follow our live updates from today’s stage of the Tour of Britain as it passes through Central Bedfordshire.
Make sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts as well for updates throughout the day.
You can also follow the Lloyds Tour of Britain on X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
And the good news is that the sun is shining in Ampthill.
Let's hope it stays that way throughout the day.