News: Knowsley welcomes The Tour of Britain

Free entry to Knowsley Safari Park for Tour of Britain stage finish next month

With ‘Wiggins Mania’ sweeping Britain, excitement is mounting in Knowsley as the borough prepares to welcome the UK’s biggest cycle race next month. Cycling professionals and fanatics alike donned their Wiggins-style sideburns to get into the spirit of the sport at Knowsley Safari Park, which will host the spectacular Stage Two finish of The Tour of Britain next month.

Over a hundred of the world’s top cyclists will ride through the borough with a spectacular Stage Two finish at Knowsley Safari Park on Monday 10th September. This is the first time The Tour has been to Knowsley. The 180.7km race commences at Nottingham Castle at 10am, and will travel through Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire before the climax at Knowsley Safari Park where riders from teams such as Team Sky, Liquigas – Cannondale and Endura Racing will battle it out for victory.

Cllr Eddie Connor with Endura Racing’s Jonathan McEvoy and Tour mascot ToBi, plus local school children, and some of the Safari Park’s residents in the background.

The Tour is expected to arrive in the borough just after 2pm, arriving at Pingwood Lane in Kirkby, then travelling through Headbolt Lane, County Road, South Boundary Road and Coopers Lane. It will then travel along Knowsley Lane, through Knowsley Village and then into Huyton along Primrose Drive, Liverpool Road, Bluebell Lane, Huyton Lane, and then making its final journey to the finish along the A58 to Knowsley Safari Park in Prescot.

As part of its journey through the borough’s streets, local residents, schools, businesses and community groups are being invited to join in and welcome the national cycle race. This is a fantastic opportunity for cycling enthusiasts to come along and watch this free, televised world-class event. To take part, please ensure you arrive at the Safari Park by 1 pm. On the day, Knowsley Safari Park are offering free entry to visitors and the last safari drive will take place at 12.30 pm.

Councillor Eddie Connor, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Community and Culture, at Knowsley Council commented “Following on from the success of the both the Olympic and Paralympic torch relays, we’re delighted to be welcoming another major sporting event to the borough. This is a fantastic opportunity for Knowsley to be showcased to a global audience and we’re thrilled to be part of this exciting event. We look forward to providing a warm welcome to The Tour of Britain competitors and supporters.”

The first shows local cyclist Sean Fawecett, Cllr Eddie Connor (centre) and Tour of Britain mascot ToBi joining in with ‘Wiggins mania’ in Knowsley.

Jonathan McEvoy from St Helens will be racing for Britain’s leading domestic team Endura Racing, and will be keen to impress in front of family and friends at the Knowsley finish. He said “I’m excited to be riding on home roads and the Safari Park finish will make this a spectacular event.”

Mick Bennett, Race Director of The Tour of Britain commented, “We are very much looking forward to the stage finish at Knowsley. Being able to work with Knowsley Council and Knowsley Safari Park to put on such a unique finish is a privilege for us and will make for a fantastic setting for The Tour.”

Edward Perry, Operations Director at Knowsley Estate, added “We are delighted to welcome The Tour to Knowsley Safari Park. It will be an amazing sight as the riders complete their sprint finish past our herd of elephants and giraffes and one that will create amazing memories for all who attend.”

In addition to Jonathan McEvoy, Mark McNally (AN Post) from Liverpool, Peter Williams (Node4 Giordana Racing) originally from Southport and David McGowan (Team UK Youth) from Liverpool are all amongst the riders hoping to compete in this year’s Tour.