20/06/2009

The Tour of Britain race will start with the Yorkshire leg, on 12 September 2009, and there will be a brand new route that takes in some of the best urban and rural landscapes in the region.

Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency has been instrumental in bringing the high profile event to Yorkshire. Tom Riordan, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Forward comments:

"I am delighted that Yorkshire and Humber is to host the start of the Tour of Britain race in 2009 - an accolade that clearly demonstrates how far our region has come in positioning itself as a prime location for hosting major cultural and sporting events, which showcase all that Yorkshire and Humber has to offer."

The race has become a popular fixture in the region's sporting calendar, bringing thousands of visitors to the region.  Gary Verity, Chief Executive, Welcome to Yorkshire said:

"The Tour of Britain is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the wonderful landscapes and cityscapes of Yorkshire to a global audience.  The Tour provides a great chance to encourage additional visitors to the region as spectators of the event, as well as demonstrating what a wonderful location Yorkshire is for enjoying the great outdoors"

With the Yorkshire Stage of the Tour finishing in York, the city is keen to maximise the benefits the Tour will bring.  Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive, Visit York said:

‘We're delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain to York and it is a fantastic coup for us to host a part of this prestigious sporting event.  As the UK's biggest cycle race, the finish of the first stage is expected to attract between ten and twenty five thousand spectators to the city, providing an ideal opportunity to promote York and Yorkshire on a global stage, as well as the potential to generate hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of revenue for the city and the region.'

To mark the official regional announcement of the Yorkshire Stage, Yorkshire Forward, Welcome to Yorkshire and regional partners are hosting an official launch celebration which coincides with the CTC York Cycle Show.

Representatives from Yorkshire Forward, City of York Council and Sweetspot - the owners and organisers of the Tour of Britain, will be delivering a short speech to highlight the value of hosting the Tour in Yorkshire.  The launch will work to deliver Yorkshire's aspirations of promoting the region as a world class destination, the perfect place in which to host a world class race with world class riders.

With the CTC York Cycle Show as the backdrop, interactive BMX sessions, stunt displays, cycling demonstrations and competitions, the regional launch will provide an example of the commitment Yorkshire has in not only hosting another successful Tour of Britain, but in the desire to catapult Yorkshire centre stage, across the globe, through this exciting and world famous opportunity.

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