The finale of the Tour of Britain 2021 could begin in Ryde, with cyclists heading across the garden isle to finish in the West Wight.
The provisional route for the Isle of Wight stage of the major cycle event has been unveiled by the leader of the Council, Cllr Dave Stewart.
Under the proposed plans, the event would begin on Ryde Esplanade to great fanfare. The competitors would be immediately hit with a long uphill section through Union Street before heading out of the town and progressing towards Newport. Once in the county town, the dozens of cyclists will then head south towards the iconic Military Road before heading west to finish in Freshwater.
Final negotiations are taking place between the Isle of Wight Council and organising company SweetSpot with a view to entering into a contract. The council’s cabinet approved the plans last month.
The tour regularly attracts the world’s top cyclists, including Olympic and world champions and Tour de France winners, who compete over eight days each September in the UCI ProSeries event.
The costs associated with hosting the Island stage are expected to be around £340,000 but the benefit to the local economy could be as much as £4 million. A single-stage can attract upwards of 150,000 spectators and generate the equivalent of £1.2 million in free advertising with free to air live TV coverage on ITV4 and Eurosport in the UK and around the world.
That’s great news, more Lycra louts. Mind you this may as well become the mainland playground, goes with the holiday home owners!
Island roads best get their finger out, and start doing roads that ‘need’ attention, not just the ‘easy miles’ to boost quota amounts.
Fine by me so long as they are not using the public highway.
More ice cream and burger sales for a ‘local councillor.