BIKE RACE BOOST FOR TIVERTON ECONOMY
That is the view of Mayor of Tiverton Cllr Paul Graham who says the race's visit on September 17 will help put the town on the sporting map. Last September, thousands of spectators including local schoolchildren lined the route to watch the pack of almost 100 top cyclists whizzing through the town.
This year, the whole spectacle will be back again, but travelling in the reverse direction to last year. The detailed route has yet to be officially finalised but the provisional itinerary sees the riders arriving in the town from Bickleigh, riding up Angel Hill, past the town hall and along Fore Street, then heading along Gold Street and out onto the Old Blundell's roundabout.
Cllr Graham, who was a steward when the race came through the town last year, said: "A lot of hard work went into getting the race through Tiverton last year, and that hard work has borne fruit with the race coming for the second year."
He added: "It puts Tiverton on the sporting map, and is a chance for people to see some top athletes for free. I think it inspired a lot of people last year to take up cycling. I spoke to a few people after the event, who got the old bike serviced so they could take up riding again."
Ron Howe, from Ron's BMX and Cycle Centre in West Exe, said: "I have lost count of the numbers of bikes which have been hanging up in the garage which people have been bringing into the shop in the last six to eight months wanting me to bring back to life.
"I don't know if it is a result of people seeing the bike race, but the fact it is coming back seems a pretty good idea."
Cllr Graham said he had been surprised last year by just how many people did turn up and urged them to come out again for the stage through Tiverton this year.
Robin Bevis, Tour of Britain project manager for Devon County Council, said Tiverton had got behind the race so well last year, it made sense for a return visit to take place.
He said: "Tiverton was regarded as being the best attended town during last year's stage outside of the start and finish towns.
"We expect to get good crowds again. It is a great event and hopefully this year the field will be more stretched out. It is closer to the end of the stage and there are some climbs which might mean everybody is more spread out."
He added: "This year Devon is hosting part of two stages whereas last year we had just one, but we still hope to be able to provide lots of activities alongside the race action."
Mr Bevis said details of the route were not yet finalised, but there was also the possibility riders could turn left up Bampton Street, right by the old hospital, down Barrington Street, and left at the bottom through Lowman Green, giving even more areas for spectators to watch the action.
Cllr Des Hannon, who represents Tiverton East, said he was delighted that the race would be returning to the town.
He said: "I want to make the Tour's visit even better than last year. Now that people know what to expect after last year, I am sure they will be up for the race. We are hoping to top the 2,000 children who came out last time to cheer the riders on."
Cllr Hannon said there were good reasons for cycling fans in Tiverton to be excited, with the new BMX track in Cowley Moor set to open this summer.
Craig Brophy, spokesman for the race organisers, said they were pleased to be heading back to Tiverton.
He said the race could also have a lasting benefit in encouraging people to get out on their bikes. "We always try to work with schools and get the students out, even if it is just for 15 minutes, because we believe it is important to encourage kids to get excited about cycling," he said.
Riders will arrive in the South West on Thursday, September 17, for stage six of the race.
The seventh stage on Friday, September 18, will take riders from Hatherleigh in West Devon, through Crediton and then on to Tiverton, over a 158km distance to the finish in Yeovil in Somerset.
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