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The Tour of Britain Pedals back into Scotland for 2011
Story posted September 8 ; Event Press Release | Glittering line-up for The 2010 Tour of Britain
EventScotland has announced that the Grand Depart of The Tour of Britain will return to Scotland in 2011, riding the through the regions of the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. “The Tour of Britain is a highlight on the cycling calendar for top international cyclists and enthusiasts from around the world. EventScotland are delighted to announce that this world class event will return to Scotland next year and we are already in the planning stages to ensure that our stage will one of the best of The Tour for everyone involved,” said Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland.
Image: The Tour of Britain
Stage three of the 2009 Tour began in the Scottish Borders town of Peebles which saw spectators line the streets, strong local and national media coverage and local business getting into the cycling spirit with window dressing and other community activities. In 2011, the region will host the ‘Grand Depart’ with details of the route to be announced early next year.
Vicky Davidson, Scottish Borders Council Executive Member for Economic Development said, “This is excellent news for Scotland. When the Tour was here in 2009, it had a considerable impact on the Scottish Borders and to secure the Grand Depart and the Tour Ride really will keep the Scottish Borders on the map as a world class cycling destination. Businesses got right behind the event in Peebles last year and thousands of spectators turned out to watch the event, so I anticipate a great response next year.”
Dumfries and Galloway have been involved since 2005 and will provide the perfect setting for the end of Stage One in 2011. Councillor Ian Carruthers, from Dumfries and Galloway Council added, “Dumfries and Galloway is proud to have been at the heart of the Tour of Britain since 2005, and we have witnessed many dramatic incidents and memorable Stage finishes over the past few years that have helped to define previous Tours. Dumfries and Galloway Council is serious about supporting cycling and we anticipate many thousands of fans turning out for the first day and sole Scottish Stage of the 2011 Tour of Britain.”
Event organiser, SweetSpot will work with the supporting Scottish agencies over the next 12 months to deliver the opening stage of the 2011 Tour and are looking forward to a Scottish element once again. Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of SweetSpot, said, “We are delighted to be bringing The Tour of Britain back to Scotland for Stage One of the 2011 race, and we look forward to an exciting stage showcasing the world-class scenery that the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway offer."
“Scotland has twice before hosted the Grand Depart of The Tour to much acclaim, so I’m sure we can once again look forward to a fantastic reception when we return next September.”
In a bid to make the 2011 event bigger and better, a Tour Ride mass participation event will be encompassed into the Scottish plan, potentially attracting around 1,500 riders. The weekend timing of the opening stage will attract large numbers of spectators to Scotland and local tourism will be set to receive a boost from the influx of visitors over the few days before and after the riders take to their saddles.
Economic impact and global media coverage are key factors of consideration when supporting events in Scotland and the positive figures from 2009 certainly justify The Tour of Britain’s return. With an estimated economic impact of just under one million pounds from outside Scotland and a £1.3 million media value in 2009, the increased stay of the riders and their teams prior to the depart looks likely to increase these figures for the next staging.
Paul Bush continues, “EventScotland works to generate, bid for, attract and sustain events which will drive tourism and create international profile for Scotland. We’re dedicated to strengthening the nation’s position as a world class events destination and The Tour of Britain is a stand-out event for us across all our aims.”
The 2010 event runs from 11-18 September with the eight stages beginning in Rochdale and ending in the heart of London. Scotland has hosted a stage of the race since 2005 but the logistics of this year’s route meant that coming north of the border was not feasible this time. The 2010 event is set to spin off this Saturday and boasts a strong line-up of 100 riders from 17 teams coming from 19 countries. The stage is set for an exciting week of action to whet the appetite of Scottish cycling fans before they change gear and return to Scotland in 2011, the Year of Active Nation.
