Media release
8 September 2017
Tomorrow will see Cheltenham playing host to an amazing day of cycling on Saturday 9 September, when the OVO Energy Tour of Britain rides into town for the Cheltenham Festival of Cycling.
The Tour of Britain started on the 3 September this year in Edinburgh and has raced through towns and villages across the UK with a penultimate finish in Cheltenham and final Stage Eight finish in Cardiff.
Cllr Rowena Hay, cabinet member of finance said: “We are excited to be hosting the stage 7 finish of the Tour of Britain, it provides us with an opportunity to create a fun free to watch event for the residents of the borough and beyond; and through live ITV4 and Eurosport coverage beam images of Cheltenham across the world, helping us unlock potential new visitors to enjoy what we have to offer. The elite cycle race is only one part of the Bloor Homes Festival of Cycling and we hope what we have created this year provides us with a springboard to embrace opportunities to promote cycling and walking not just for recreation, but also as a mode of transport choice. We know we have a lot to do in terms of considering infrastructure investment and policies to support this, but we are on what we hope is the start of a journey. In planning the event we have been working with our sponsors and we are looking forward to continue working together in the future. Our thanks to Cotswolds district council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Cheltenham BID and Cheltenham Trust for supporting our venture.”
We have made a range of Bloor Homes Cheltenham Festival of Cycling and Tour of Britain information available for visitors, spectators, residents and businesses these include:
• Visitor/spectator information and map of family zone.
• Estimated Stage Seven race schedule
• Travel information including bike racking locations with public transport information
• Spectator parking information
• Map and list of road closures and parking restrictions in Cheltenham for residents and businesses
• Details of the Pittville park family zone with events arranged by Cheltenham Borough Council, Cheltenham Trust and the CTWYC Cycling Club.
• Details of all the activity that is happening along the long gardens (outside the Municipal offices) with a demo zone and market stalls with the splendid finish area and race village at Imperial Square for spectators, residents and businesses to all enjoy.
Tracey Crews, project sponsor of Bloor Homes Cheltenham Festival of Cycling, says: “We have worked hard to deliver a fun event, which is accessible to all. We have created a car free environment alongside Pittville Park, so for those looking to gain confidence on the road this is the place to be. Maybe a trying a different style of bike is your thing or finding out more about cycle clubs, then for you the Prom is your destination. If the focus is on the elite cyclists then come early and get the best position at Imperial Gardens.
“Whatever the weather, we can guarantee we will have something for everyone alongside street entertainment, delicious food and drink and a warm festival vibe. Remember to bring your loudest cheering voice, we are tipped as the fastest sprint finish in the whole Tour of Britain – it could determine the overall winner and you could help cheer them over the line!”
Mark Powell, regional sales director from Bloor homes, continued: “After a great deal of planning and hard work from all those involved, the event looks set to be a huge success. We are looking forward to seeing the riders compete and also to showcase Cheltenham to the world. Bloor Homes is very proud to be the main sponsor of the Cheltenham Festival of Cycling and offer our support for this wonderful day.”
Stage Seven of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain begins in Hemel Hempstead and the 115km route traverses Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, before heading through Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh.
Nearing Cheltenham, the riders will head through Winchcombe, before climbing the SKODA King of the Mountains climb up Cleeve Hill on the final 10km approach. Freewheeling down the other side, the riders will speed along Southam Lane, turning left down Evesham Road past the racecourse, through Pittville Park, navigating a tight bend at Clarks corner and another at HSBC, before crossing the Promenade outside Cavendish House for a final race up to the finish line at Imperial Gardens.
An interactive Stage Seven route map is available on the Cheltenham Festival of Cycling website .
The race will operate under parking suspensions and road closures. Residents and spectators are encouraged to plan ahead and consider the road closures in place around Cheltenham town centre to facilitate the route, finish area, family zone, promotional village, demo zone and street market.