Rising To The Challenge Suffolk

 

 

The Tour of Britain is Coming to Suffolk

The Tour of Britain, the country’s biggest professional cycle race, and biggest free-to-attend sporting event, will be visiting Suffolk for the first time on Friday 17th September 2010.

Hosted by Suffolk County Council, together with supporting partners St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Babergh District Council, the joint Suffolk/Essex leg launched in Bury St Edmunds on Friday, will take in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the county, and will provide a spectacular setting for this unique national sporting event.

 

 

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Bury St Edmunds cathedral, 100 of the world’s best cyclists will line up for the seventh and penultimate stage of The Tour, which will, in all likelihood, decide the outcome of the 2010 race, providing the final yellow jersey of the race ahead of it’s final stage in London. The Suffolk route will take the riders through towns and villages such as Haverhill, Clare, Cavendish, Long Melford, Lavenham and Sudbury, before the race enters Essex in advance of the finish in Colchester.

Suffolk residents are encouraged to come out in force to line the route and enjoy the wonderful spectacle, as some of the world’s finest athletes pass through their communities.  For those who won’t be able to see the start, but would like the chance to have a really good look, the Sprint at Long Melford or the King of the Mountain at Foxearth, Milden Hill and Ballingdon Hill, will provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy the thrill of the racing up close.

Councillor Jane Storey, Deputy Leader of Suffolk County Council said,  “I am really pleased that Suffolk is going to be part of this major sporting event. To support The Tour, we are planning a series of events and activities during the summer.  Hosting The Tour also raises the profile of Suffolk and is an excellent opportunity for our local tourist industry and businesses.  This puts Suffolk in the media spotlight across Britain and beyond, through international television broadcasts.”

Councillor David Wood, Babergh District Council's Chairman said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for residents and competitive cyclists alike. Residents will get a chance to witness firsthand the spectacle of a professional cycle race and the cyclists will get to ride through one of the most beautiful parts of Suffolk. It may even inspire some of our residents to take up cycling themselves!"

Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council said, “We are looking forward to welcoming all the competitors and supporters to St Edmundsbury for this important sporting event.  Bury St Edmunds is a wonderful place to host the start and I am sure that our visitors will be delighted with what they find here, and want to return.” 

 

 

 

 

Adam Baker, Suffolk Project Manager for the London 2012 Games, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
t: 01473 260821    e: adam.baker@suffolk.gov.uk