Riders to race from sea to summit on Devon Stage of The Tour
Professional cyclists from Team UK Youth are relishing the prospect of being part of an historic Devon Stage of The Tour of Britain.
As The Tour celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, Devon County Council will mark the occasion by hosting the first ever summit finish in the modern era of the race on Friday 20 September.
Stage Six of this year’s Tour will head from sea to summit, as it starts in Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and finishes at Haytor in Dartmoor National Park.
Team UK Youth’s Cornish rider Chris Opie is being touted as one of the favourites for the Yodel Sprints Jersey after winning two rounds of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series earlier this year. However, Chris is taking nothing for granted.
He said: “The Tour of Britain is the biggest cycling event in the UK, so we’ll have to see what opportunities come up, but we’re not targeting any specific Jerseys. The Devon Stage was really special last year. The crowds were incredible and my family and friends came up from Cornwall to watch. It’s fantastic that The Tour is returning to Devon for the seventh time in its 10 year history. We’re looking forward to the spectators cheering on the home teams again and this year will be quite a spectacle with it finishing at the top of a climb – Haytor will be something to focus on.”
Haytor attracted thousands of spectators in 2011 as Devon rider Jon Tiernan-Locke took maximum points on all three Skoda King of the Mountain climbs on Dartmoor on his way to winning the polka dot Skoda King of the Mountains jersey. And last year he raced the Devon stage wearing the IG Gold Jersey as he became the first Briton to win the race overall.
This year’s Devon Stage will cover around 85 miles (137 km) of the county. Before reaching the final climb at Haytor, the 96 world class riders will also have to contend with SKODA King of the Mountains climbs at Stoke Hill on the outskirts of Exeter, Mamhead, as well as Six Mile Hill on Dartmoor.
Some of the most fast-paced action of the Stage will be at the Yodel Sprints outside Blundell’s School in Tiverton, through Exeter High Street and also at Chudleigh.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “This year’s Tour of Britain will be a real celebration to mark 10 years of the race. We’re proud that Devon will be a key feature of the race, providing the first ever summit finish. We’re also pleased that spectators and the worldwide TV audience will get the opportunity to see some of Devon’s most stunning scenery with the Jurassic Coast at the start in Sidmouth and the challenging finish at Haytor on Dartmoor. There will be a whole programme of events leading up to The Tour which will ensure that the whole community can get involved and be part of the occasion.”
Councillor Iain Chubb, Portfolio holder for Environment at East Devon District Council, said: “East Devon is well used to attracting and welcoming visitors to the wonderful Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. To add to this important geological status the glamour and excitement of a major and prestigious cycle race coming to Sidmouth is the icing on the cake for us!”
Councillor Jeremy Christophers, Leader of Teignbridge District Council, said: “I have been a district councillor for a very long time now and I’m delighted to represent the ward of Haytor. Teignbridge District Council is delighted to support this event. Watching some of the world’s top riders reach Haytor’s summit after a hard 85-mile Stage through Devon is going to be an amazing experience.
“I really hope Teignbridge residents – and people visiting the area during the Tour - appreciate what a fantastic day it will be and turn out in their droves to support all the riders as they make their way through Teignbridge and on to Dartmoor. It’s going to be quite a spectacle.”
Bill Hitchins, Chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: “The Authority is delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain to Dartmoor for a fourth year, and it is particularly exciting to have a summit finish at Haytor. The gruelling climb to the finish at this iconic Dartmoor location will be a highlight and we expect a great many people will want to witness this landmark event in the history of the Tour. With the Tour of Britain being broadcast to over 125 countries this year it provides a unique opportunity to showcase Dartmoor National Park to a worldwide audience.”
Sidmouth Town Council Chairman John Hollick said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Devon Stage of The Tour of Britain will start on our seafront. Millions of people watching the race will see exactly what makes Sidmouth such a special part of the Jurassic Coast. A lot of hard work is going into making this Stage a success and I hope the whole town makes the most of not only the race but also all of the community events which are being planned to celebrate The Tour coming to Sidmouth.”
Mick Bennett, Race Director of The Tour of Britain, said: “In past editions of The Tour of Britain the Devon stage has earned a reputation for its toughness, so it is only right that Dartmoor hosts the race's first ever summit finish. I am sure cycling fans from all over the UK will be looking forward to the stage and coming to Devon to stake their place on the Haytor climb.”
Devon has featured in The Tour over the past seven years. In that time it has brought in more than £21 million to the local economy and showcased the county to a worldwide television audience. Last year’s Devon Stage generated more than £7.3 million in the county in a record breaking year watched by more than 220,000 spectators along the route in Devon.
Teams confirmed to be competing in the 2013 Tour are Sky Professional Cycling Team, Omega Pharma - Quick-Step, Garmin-Sharp, Vaconsoleil DCM, and Cannondale.
For more information on The Tour of Britain, visit: www.southwesttourofbritain.co.uk and www.tourofbritain.co.uk and on Twitter follow @SWTourofBritain.
For information on road closures, overnight camping and park and ride facilities for the Devon Stage finish on Dartmoor please visit www.dartmoor.gov.uk
