Isle of Wight councillor Bob Seely has this week called for the Island to bid to host the Tour de France should the event return to the UK.
Cllr Bob Seely, whose Central Wight ward contains many of the Island’s best cycle routes and most beautiful scenery, called for the Isle of Wight Council to work with Hampshire colleagues to investigate the feasibility of a bid and campaign to be part of any future Tour de France in the UK.
In a written question to the Leader of the Council on Wednesday, Cllr Seely asked:
“Given the remarkable success of the recent UK stage of the Tour de France and the significant potential for cycling tourism and tourism in general that the Tour would bring to the Isle of Wight, will the leader of the Council discuss with his colleagues in the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership or other relevant bodies, whether a new UK bid which included the Isle of Wight/Hants be feasible, and if so to establish how to take forward such as bid?”
Isle of Wight Council leader, Cllr Ian Stephens, has said that he would approach the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership to raise the question as to whether or not any funding would be available for such an event.
The recent UK launch of the first three stages of Tour de France – including the famous Grand Depart – was reckoned to be a major success, both for the UK sport but also for Yorkshire tourism.
Cllr Seely said:
“There is no reason why we shouldn’t be at the top of the list of UK counties to host the Tour. The Island is rightly regarded as having some of the best cycle in the UK and Europe.
Article continues below this advertisement “If Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire can host the Tour, why not Hampshire and the Isle of Wight? We already host significant events, including Cowes Week and the IoW Festival.
“We have a stunning natural backdrop, iconic scenery, and we will soon – thanks to the previous administration – have some of the best roads in Britain. What better way to showcase the Island to Europe and the world.
“No one is expecting to host the event next year or the year after – these things take time to plan and pitch, but I do think it sensible to hold initial conversations with Hampshire”.
The UK hosted three stages of the Tour de France in Britain: 120 miles, 150 miles and 100 miles long respectively. Cllr Seely said that the annual Randonnee on the Island held in May has a 100 km route which could easily be extended to make it fit for one of the opening stages of the Tour de France.
Cllr Seely continued:
“In the past few years taken big strides in developing the cycling network on the Island and attracting cycling events. We should seriously consider bidding for this global event.”
Photograph: World class competitors could compete on Military Road should the plans come to fruition, much like the Wight Riveria event
