The Tour of Britain is partnering with recycling pioneer Enval for this year’s edition of the biggest cycling event in the UK, coming to the Isle of Wight on 11th September.
Commercial director Miles Rose welcomed the support, stating he couldn’t wait to work on increasing the level of materials recycled from the event. Andrea Troy, Enval head of business development, declared he was excited to help reduce the Tour’s carbon footprint “by recycling the waste packaging generated” by all competing athletes. He added he hoped the partnership was the first of many collaborations, intending to highlight that items currently considered unrecyclable can be effectively reclaimed.
Enval has been at the forefront of innovation in waste treatment for years. The Alconbury-based company developed a ground-breaking technology that transforms plastic waste into oil feedstock in order to produce new plastic. Enval also boasts the only process in the world with the capability to recycle plastic aluminium laminates.
This green partnership comes at a time of increasing efforts toward ensuring the Tour’s sustainability. Organiser of Britain’s most prestigious race, SweetSpot Group, has made significant progress to improve the event’s impact on the environment.
Riders have access to green zones before and after every feed zone, where they can dispose of their rubbish and packaging for the race staff to discard. This year, the green zones are supported by Brother UK. One of the leading sponsors of British cycle sports, the company received a Queen’s Award in 2018 for its achievements in sustainable development.
Spectators and volunteers are also urged to dispose of waste responsibly throughout the event. Racing through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and some of Britain’s most beautiful National Parks, the Tour aims at leaving all locations as they were found. And this year’s event will have no shortage of stunning sights along the way.
The 18th edition of the race begins on September 4 in Aberdeen. Stage one will finish at Glenshee Ski Centre before competitors head towards the Scottish Borders. The Tour will come to a close eight days later on the Isle of Wight, as the top riders in the world battle it out from Ryde to the historic Needles along a scenic 93-mile stage.
The race’s itinerary will be further beautified by the Tour’s annual land art competition. Launched last week, the competition encourages all community groups, businesses, and schools to create land art masterpieces along the route. The successor to 2021’s winner, Craskins Farm in Tarland, will be designated after the race by a panel comprising Tour of Britain director Mick Bennett and other professionals.
Racegoers can also plan their visit long in advance, thanks to the interactive stage maps that the Tour organisers released ahead of the event. All maps are subjected to change, though. The full stage timetables will only be available in mid-August. Still, visitors may already book their vacation to the Isle of Wight.
In the meantime, cycling lovers may want to cross the Channel to buoy their favourite British cyclists. Perhaps the most high-profile bike race in the world, the Tour de France will go ahead in Copenhagen on Friday July 1. And a four-time Tour winner will make an anticipated comeback on the start line. Israel-Premier Tech has just named Chris Froome as one of their riders to tackle the 2022 Tour de France.
Odds might not favour Froome compared to front-runners like Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic. But another Briton could make waves in Paris. Geraint Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France champion, landed a victory on the Tour of Switzerland last Sunday. So, punters can already place their bets online. Expert reviewers such as Sports Betting Online have rated the best bookies on the internet. Thus, punters can find the most competitive odds with a single click. Top betting platforms also offer free bets and bonuses. And tips and strategies on a wide range of sports are a sure way to boost winnings.
Eurosport, GCN+, and ITV will broadcast the 109th edition of the French Grand Tour live in the UK. As for the Tour of Britain, ITV4 will bring flag-to-flag coverage of each stage. 150 countries worldwide can also watch the event thanks to partnerships with the Global Cycling Network and Eurosport.
