News: Tendring District Council (Essex) Excited about bringing Women’s Tour to Region

2013_March_questbikes600x75

An ambitious bid has been made to bring the first ever Women’s Tour of Britain cycling event to the streets of Tendring (Essex) says a story on the web

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

In a story on the internet, Tendring District Council (TDC) has said it has been in talks with the organisers (Sweetspot) of the Women’s Tour of Britain race for several months and is in the throes of finalising a deal. The event which has been making headlines for a while now is being staged in May next year over five separate stages in the East of England and has been awarded elite international status which means it will attract the best women racing cyclists from around the world, including World Championship and Olympic medallists.

2013_ToB_Support_WomensTour

Organisers, says Tendring District Council, are attempting to make it the first women’s cycling event in the world to offer absolute parity between men and women in terms of both prize money and back-up. TDC Leader Peter Halliday said that it would be a major coup for Tendring if its bid is successful. “It is fair to say that at this time we are in very advanced and positive talks with the organisers to bring this very high profile event to the District,” he said.

“It will be the first Women’s Tour of Britain and the race is attracting a great deal of interest around the world and from media companies wanting to cover the event. I am proud to say that it could bring international coverage to Tendring, promoting sport, fitness and health and well-being right across the region, as well as showcasing all the very best of the District and the many features and attractions on offer.”

Cllr Halliday added that further details will be made public as and when they are available. “If everything goes according to plan – and there is no reason to believe it will not – this will provide us with yet another chance to show that we as a Council are serious about embracing such opportunities,” he said.

2013_ToB_Support_WomensTour2

“To host one of the stages of this cycling race will be a significant boost for both businesses and the residents of Tendring and give the area a much-needed financial shot in the arm. “It will also help us to fulfil our commitment to build on the legacy of the 2012 London Olympics.”

Cycling is the fastest growing sport in the UK and crowds flocked to see the coverage of the recent Men’s Tour of Britain and World Championships with millions more following it on ITV 4. The massive interest in the sport comes on the back of Team GB’s Cycling Team being the most successful at the London 2012 Olympics and Britain having some of the best female cyclists in the world, including Olympic and World Champions.

Alan Goggin, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, also welcomed the prospect. “Staging part of this race will bring many thousands of people into Tendring out of the main holiday season and will be great for the local economy,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to a positive outcome to our bid and we have worked hard to get the event to the District.”

VeloUK emailed director at Sweetspot and the man behind the race, Guy Elliott and asked if the race was indeed going to Essex. Guy replied “We are having exceptionally constructive discussions with councils all over eastern England with many towns and counties being very keen to host the Women’s Tour but we are not to able to comment in more detail at this stage.”

“We would however like to say how delighted we are that so many councils are keen to support the inaugural event in 2014 and to work with SweetSpot in developing women’s sport in its widest context”.

 

 

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: , , ,