WORCESTER’S economy will be given a shot in the arm when the city welcomes more than 15,000 people to line the streets for the final stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain
That’s the verdict of City Council leader Coun Adrian Gregson who told the Observer he believed Worcester was quickly being recognised as one of the country’s top sporting cities
The world’s top cyclists, including Britain’s Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas, will descend on the Faithful City on Sunday, September 10 for what is fast becoming one of the most competitive races on the cycling calendar.
It will be the first time in five years the race has finished outside of London, as riders cycle through the streets of Worcester, past the city’s iconic landmarks, before heading out into the picturesque Worcestershire countryside and onto the finishing line in Cardiff.
With extensive TV coverage of the race, images of Worcester will beamed around the world from Europe to Africa to Central and South America – council chiefs hope the event will boost the city’s tourism and economy.
A total of 20 teams each with six riders will be taking part in the challenging cycling event, including all of the top five teams in the current UCI World Tour rankings – Quick-step Floors, Team Sky, BMC Racing, Movistar Team and Orica Scott.
The race was launched at an event at the Guildhall on Monday where organisers said they expect more than 15,000 to gather in the city which is hosting a stage of the race for the fourth time.
Speaking at the launch, Coun Gregson said: “We know from experience when we’ve hosted this event before that it will help boost the city’s tourism and economy and because it’s on a weekend we’re expecting a lot more people.
“Cycling has got a lot more popular over the past few years and it’s a very exciting time.
“We want to be involved with these national events, not just for Worcester, but for the opportunities local people get to touch these things. The other side of that is we do expect to see increased in spend, in visitor attraction and people staying here.
“Worcester is putting itself on the sporting map. And it’s a range of sports as well. It’s not just professional sports such as cycling, racing, cricket and rugby, but its amateur sport as well and the University of Worcester’s link with disability sports.
OVO Energy Tour of Britain Race Director Mick Bennett said: “With riders of the calibre of Geraint Thomas, Mark Cavendish and Alexander Kristoff coming out to say they will be targeting the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, this bodes for a fantastic spectacle for fans at the roadside and watching at home on television.
“The combination of teams from all three levels of the sport, plus the presence of a Great Britain national team and the continuation of six-man teams will continue to make for open and aggressive racing.”
