WARRINGTON Borough Council has not yet decided whether it will bid to bring the Tour of Britain back to the town next year.

Stage five of the 2021 race finished in the town centre yesterday, Thursday, and has been hailed as a ‘huge success’ by WBC.

But the Warrington Guardian understands that no decision has yet been made on whether the council will look to have the top cycling event return to the borough for 2022.

Top figures in the authority have expressed their thanks to the thousands of spectators who lined the route however.

READ MORE: Can you spot yourself in our crowd pictures of Warrington’s Tour of Britain leg?

The Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Maureen Creahgan, said: “What an unforgettable day for Warrington.

“It was an occasion which will live long in the memories of everyone who watched it – whether at home or in person – and a day which really showed Warrington in its best light.

“To see the streets of Warrington lined with people made me prouder than ever to be Mayor of this great town.”

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden added: “There is a real confidence surging through Warrington at the moment.

“We are a town that has the ambition and the people to deliver world class international events and this was on show for everyone to see as we hosted the Tour of Britain.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped make the day such a tremendous success, from our staff to the event organisers and from local businesses and sponsors including Ron Spencer Cycles, RunThrough, Tarmac and Gridserve to – of course – the people of Warrington.

“Together we created a truly special event.”

Warrington Guardian:

Mark Cavendish

WBC will now ‘evaluate the success of the event locally’ before considering a fresh bid for next year’s tour.

Chief executive Steven Broomhead said: “The Tour of Britain was a special day for Warrington, and it was great to see the many thousands of people lining the streets in celebration.

“Warrington was put on the map to an international audience, and the event was a moment of real civic pride for us all.

“We will now work to fully evaluate the success of the event locally.”

Cllr Paul Warburton, executive board member for statutory halth and adult social care, added: “The Tour of Britain was a fantastic showcase of everything that makes Warrington great – celebrating our communities, our heritage and our sporting credentials.

“It was a truly magnificent day which I believe will help further embed cycling in the fabric of our town.

“My hope is that the excitement we saw from thousands of people of all ages as the tour entered Warrington will inspire many more local people to take up cycling.”