[T]here is now exactly one month to go before some of the world’s top cyclists bring the Tour of Britain to South Lakeland.
The market town of Ulverston will be among the communities supporting the event and locals are promising to make it an unforgettable experience.
Councillor Chris Hogg, South Lakeland District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, said: “Ulverston is already getting into the swing of it and we’d like to see other communities along the route doing the same and giving the Tour of Britain a very warm welcome.
“The event brings world-class athletes to our streets, attracts thousands of people who turn out to watch, brings economic benefits and showcases our wonderful area to a worldwide TV audience.”
At a countdown event held at Ulverston Leisure Centre, the town’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sharon Webster, couldn’t hide her excitement.
“I’m so proud of Ulverston and this is a real opportunity for us to enjoy a world stage. With just a month to go I’d like people to think about what they can do to show their support, for example by decorating a bicycle or a wheel, making a flag or putting some bunting up and lining the route to cheer as the riders go by,” said Cllr Webster.
Cllr Mark Wilson, SLDC’s ward councillor for Ulverston East and Cllr Helen Irving, SLDC’s ward councillor for Ulverston West, also showed their support at the countdown event.
The sixth stage of this year’s Tour of Britain event starts on Friday 7 September in Barrow, following a route through Ulverston, Gawthwaite, Water Yeat, Torver, Coniston, Hawkshead Hill, Outgate, Ambleside, Rydal and Grasmere.
The riders will then continue to Keswick and Cockermouth before eventually finishing the 168km route at Whinlatter Pass.
The Tour of Britain last visited South Lakeland in 2016, a year after the devastating Storm Desmond floods. SLDC was among a number of Cumbrian organisations that lobbied to ensure the event took in flood-affected areas of the county to help deliver the message that it was open for business.
Figures showed that the event attracted 40,000 spectators in South Lakeland and an estimated audience of 1.1million viewers worldwide watched coverage of the Cumbria stage on ITV4.
For more details about this year’s event and its route through South Lakeland visit: www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-six
