2009 Tour of Britain Route announced
Somerset and Devon County Council today revealed the full details of the South West Tour of Britain race stages, which takes place on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September.
The two race routes will cover a total of 346kms and pass through a number of towns and villages in Somerset and Devon. 96 internationally elite cyclists, including a Great Britain team, will tackle six gruelling climbs through the picturesque landscape of the two counties.
Stage six of the Tour of Britain will start in the Mendip town of Frome. Riders will cover 187kms passing through the Somerset Levels, The Quantocks and Exmoor National Park, before finishing in the estuary town of Bideford on the North Devon coast.
Stage seven will cover a further 159kms. Starting in the Devon market town of Hatherleigh, competitors will ride close to the edge of Dartmoor National Park. They will then race along the Devon Jurassic Coast and cross the river Axe, before pedalling over the finish line at Huish Park, the home of Yeovil Town Football Club in South Somerset.
Last year there were 107,000 spectators at the South West stage and an additional £1.859 million was spent by visitors on the day. This year's two day event aims to build upon the success of previous years and will be a welcome boost to the economy and profile of Somerset and Devon.
Graham Bagley, Somerset County Council's Tour of Britain Project Manager, said: "This year's South West stages will showcase some of the most stunning scenery that Devon and Somerset have to offer. The routes will certainly be an exciting challenge for the professional cyclists. Somerset and Devon County Council are working with supporting partners to make sure that as many local schools and members of the community get involved and enjoy the celebrations in the build up to this year's race."
Robin Bevis, Devon County Council Tour of Britain Project Manager, said: "This is another step towards Devon's objective of encouraging cycling within the County and its ambition to be a premier cycling destination. Not only will the Tour boost our local economy, it is also a fantastic spectacle to watch that everyone will enjoy."
Graham Jones, Route Director of The Tour of Britain, said: "For the first time ever, The Tour of Britain will have two fantastic stages take place in the South West region. Stage six, which makes its way over Exmoor, will prove to be a testing stage for the riders. While stage seven will be one of the toughest and keep the overall winner in doubt until the very end of The Tour."
To see highlights from last years race visit www.youtube.com/yoursomerset.
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