THE Tour Series bike race received its official launch in Redditch yesterday (Friday) – with local cycling star Beth Crumpton on hand to give it her official blessing.
For the first time ever Redditch is the start town of the race which travels the country from Wembley Park to Aberdeen across ten events – but it all begins here in Redditch on Thursday, May 9.
“It’s fantastic to have it starting here and I can’t wait to take part,” said former UK under 23 and junior mountain bike cross country champion Beth, who rides for Storey Racing, the team of multiple Para Olympic gold medallist Sarah Storey.
Spectators
The town has hosted the race for six years and the benefits are staggering – 2.4million viewers across the globe will see the town on ITV4 while at least 15,000 spectators are expected on the day to watch elite mens and womens racing plus a host of community events.
Not only that but the economic benefit to the town is an incredible £450,000.
“It’s the biggest event on the Redditch calendar, the sort of sporting occasion that we’d normally only ever see on our TVs and it’s happening right here in the town centre,” said Fiona Faizey, deputy general manager of top sponsor the Kingfisher Shopping Centre.
Other backers include Redditch borough council, Worcestershire county council, the Town Centre Partnership (TCP) and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Affy Qadeer who sits on both the TCP and Worcestershire LEP and who has long been a champion of the race added: “The benefits are huge: The race is seen on TV in more than 60 countries, there are two million viewers and while there’s evidence that Redditch has one of the highest mortality rate in Worcestershire now we are seeing a greater uptake in cycling, making people healthier.
“On top of that it really brings the community together.”
Meanwhile Lorna Jeynes from Worcestershire county council also revealed that a deal has been signed for the next three years with organisers SweetSpot for Redditch to continue hosting the event.
“We are showcasing Redditch and putting it on the map for the world to see,” she said.
The race will be free to watch and will be backed by a Tour ‘village’ as well as numerous stalls and community events.
