Tour of Britain to return to Exmoor
Active Exmoor can now proudly reveal that The Tour of Britain internsational cycle race will be returning to Exmoor for 2008 with a route through the region that organisers predict will once again prove the toughest of the entire event.
Taking place on 9 September, the 185km South West stage is the longest in the race and will have a backdrop of stunning scenery as it takes riders past more of Somerset's hidden gems and large swathes of idyllic Devon countryside.
Setting off from Chard in the South of Somerset, the riders will pass through two designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Exmoor National Park, and on to the first ever coastal finish at the popular resort of Burnham-on-Sea.
The twisting country lanes of the Blackdown Hills AONB will provide the first E.ON King of the Mountains challenge for the riders before they hit Tiverton in Devon and the picturesque villages of South and North Molton, where they will face their second E.ON King of the Mountains trial.
Exmoor's rugged terrain will again test the riders as they speed through Withypool and revisit Exford and Wheddon Cross, which attracted thousands of spectators for the 2007 race.
The riders will then negotiate the narrow medieval streets of historic Dunster before passing through Williton, Bishops Lydeard and the Quantock Hills AONB.
Heading on to the north of Somerset, the riders will then be on the home straight as they travel through the flatter parts of the county and through Bridgwater, before seeing the finish line at Marine Drive in Burnham-on-Sea.
This year Somerset County Council has collaborated with Devon County Council, South Somerset District Council and the Exmoor National Park Authority to bring the Tour of Britain to the region. For the first time the stage is also being supported by the South West of England Regional Development Agency.
Cllr Jill Shortland, Leader of Somerset County Council, said: "The Tour of Britain took Somerset by storm in 2007. This year's route takes in even more of the region and promises to be a spectacular event. We are working with our supporting partners to make sure that as many local schools and members of the community as possible get involved and enjoy the festivities. Last year, Somerset benefited to the tune of £500,000 in additional visitor spend within the county on the race day alone1 and we hope that local businesses will welcome the event and help us in making sure it is a success again."
John Dyke, Chairman of Exmoor National Park Authority, said: "It's great news that the Tour of Britain is returning to Exmoor. Last year the event produced a carnival atmosphere and the riders can once again be assured of a warm Exmoor welcome."
Graham Jones, Route Director of the Tour of Britain, said: "In 2007 the South West stage of the Tour of Britain proved to be a decisive moment in the race and whilst it didn't decide the overall winner it certainly put an end to the aspirations of a large proportion of the field. I think that our visit to the South West on 9th September could have a similar effect. There are three classified King of the Mountains climbs, the first after only a handful of miles, and that sets the tone for the day. With 30km from the summit of the last climb to the finish there may be an opportunity for a small regrouping, but for many riders it may be too late to salvage their hopes of winning the 2008 Tour of Britain."
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