THE Tour of Britain cycle race will not return to Newham this year, organisers have admitted.

Thousands of sports fans descended on the Royal Docks last September to see the final stage of the week-long event.

The course was switched from its traditional route through central London because it clashed with the Pope’s visit.

But organisers SweetSpot Group have said the change will not be repeated when the tour returns to the capital this September 18.

Race director Mick Bennet said: “Newham were fantastic hosts and helped us to exceed all expectations for the stage, and we gave very serious consideration to returning to London’s Olympic and Paralympic Borough this year.

“However for technical reasons faced by ourselves and Newham Council it just wouldn’t have been possible for them to host The Tour of Britain in 2011, so we are very much looking forward to returning to Westminster and the City of London in London’s pre-Olympic year.”

This year’s tour will begin in Scotland on September 11 and will finish in Whitehall.

As always, there will be no charge for spectators.

Further details of the race route will be announced later this year.