CYCLING fans are in for an extra treat at the Tour of Britain this week when the Red Arrows take to the skies.
As riders set off on the second stage of the men’s race, the RAF’s famous aerobatic team will stage a flypast over Boston, Lincolnshire.
What time is the Red Arrows Tour of Britain flypast?
On Thursday, September 3, the Red Arrows will fly over Boston as stage two of the Tour of Britain gets under way.
The race itself is scheduled to start at 10.30am, meaning spectators wanting to catch the jets should be in position well before then.
Organisers have not published an exact time for the Red Arrows flypast, only confirming that it will coincide with the start of the stage.
Boston Borough Council leader, Dale Broughton, said: “These flypasts will provide a powerful tribute from the skies in honour of an international class of cyclists.”
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East Lindsey District Council leader, Craig Leyland, added: “The sight of these legendary aircraft flying above and the spectacle of dozens of riders racing on two wheels below will be an awe-inspiring sight.”
Boston is hosting a day of cycling and family entertainment from 9am until 4pm.
A big screen in Market Place will show live coverage of the race, with food stalls, cycling activities and street entertainment also planned.
Stage two takes riders on a 180.2km journey from Boston to the Lincolnshire coast at Skegness.
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What is the Red Arrows flight route?
A full flight path for the Red Arrows’ flypast has not been publicly released.
The only confirmed location is Boston, where the aircraft will pass over the riders as they begin the stage.
The Red Arrows are based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, but the RAF has not published a departure point or detailed transit route for this particular appearance.
The RAF warns that transit timings and navigation details can change and should not be confused with official public flypast locations.
Weather, aircraft availability and operational requirements can also affect Red Arrows appearances at short notice.
How can I see the Red Arrows in Boston?
The safest bet is to be in Boston town centre ahead of the 10.30am race start.
Market Place is at the heart of the day’s Tour of Britain activities, though organisers have not announced a dedicated Red Arrows viewing area or exact line of flight across the town.
Anyone travelling in is advised to arrive early, with a number of road closures in place around the centre for the race.
There is another flypast to watch out for at the other end of the stage.
A Spitfire will soar over Skegness as the cyclists reach the finish line on Grand Parade, with the race currently estimated to finish at around 3.05pm.
Skegness is laying on its own programme of entertainment from 11am until 7.30pm.
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The two flypasts have been organised as a celebration of both world-class cycling and Lincolnshire’s long association with aviation.
The Tour of Britain began in Lincoln on September 2 and runs for five stages, eventually finishing in Earlston in the Scottish Borders on Sunday, September 6.