Tour of Britain: Stage 8

The final stage of the 2010 Tour of Britain was initially intended to take place through the centre of London but this was vetoed by the Pope. It's not every day you get to write a sentence like that - but it is true (in a fashion). You see, the planned visit of Pope Benedict XVI to London coincides with the finish of the eight-day stage race, meaning the traditional final stage passing some of the capital's landmarks (such as the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament) had to be scrapped. There was talk of a stage in and around Richmond Park but in the end the organisers, perhaps fittingly, decided on a course in the Olympic borough of Newham. The 100 kilometre Saturday afternoon stage starts and finishes on Royal Albert Way on Newham Dockside and will take in eight clockwise laps (past London City Airport, the ExCel Centre, the O2 Arena, numerous wharfs and docks, and the Docklands Light Railway) before a sprint finish at Royal Victoria Dock. A free cycling festival coincides with the final stage, as well as a foodie's dream at the Newham London Waterfront Festival from 11am-9pm. The day's activity will conclude with a fantastic firework display at 8.45pm. Last year's overall winner was Norway's Edvald Boasson-Hagen, who also won four consecutive stages for the British team Sky. For more information on the race go to www.tourofbritain.co.uk.