Winner picked for Tour of Britain prize draw
An ambulance driver from Crediton has scooped a pair of VIP hospitality tickets to the Devon stage finish of the Tour of Britain 2016.
On Friday September 9 the world’s top cycling teams and riders will race from Sidmouth on the East Devon coast to the summit of Haytor on Dartmoor.
And Doug Bosley, who works for WAFA Emergency Medical Vehicles, will be able to watch the finish in style after winning a prize draw held by stage six hosts Devon County Council.
The draw was held at the beginning of National Bike Week (6- and the tickets give Doug and one other full access to the VIP Hospitality tent at Haytor the perfect position to watch the only summit climb of Britain’s premier cycle race.
This year almost 130 people were entered into the draw after taking up Devon County Council’s Haytor Cycling Challenge at the Devon County Show last month.
The challenge saw people of all ages cycle the equivalent of the last uphill stretch of this year’s stage finish at Haytor on a stationary bike.
The challenge was organised by the Bike Shed in Exeter and sports science expert Andy Middlebrooke of Exercise Science Consulting Ltd.
The final leg-burning 176 yard ascent is what the competitors will have to face at the end of a gruelling 150-mile stage in September.
Everyone who took up the challenge was entered into a prize draw, with the winner randomly drawn by DCC’s cabinet member for highways Councillor Stuart Hughes.
Doug Bosley said: “The cycle challenge was tough, but I’m a keen mountain biker so I’m pretty use to hill climbs.
“I have never watched the Tour of Britain live before and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Councillor Hughes said: “Congratulations to Doug for winning the tickets, he will be able to watch what promises to be a spectacular stage finish in style and comfort.
“The Devon Stages in 2013 and 2014 were unforgettable occasions. Record breaking crowds turned out across the county and this year’s stage promises to provide another great show case for our beautiful county.
“It’s appropriate that Doug was presented with the tickets during National Bike Week. Bike Week, like the Tour of Britain, are opportunities to inspire people all ages from the young to the retired to get on their bikes and start cycling to improve health, to help the environment and because its fun.”
