County’s Tour of Britain route plans step up a gear

Details of the full route the world’s top professional cyclists will tackle when they race through Nottinghamshire has been announced. The 165-kilometre stage of the Tour of Britain through the county on 6 September is now confirmed, with exciting sprints planned in Bilsthorpe, Ranskill, near Retford and Collingham as well as a ‘King of the Mountains’ climb at Eaton Wood, near Retford, a 1.5-kilometre climb averaging a four per cent gradient. At each of the three sprints, riders will battle for time bonuses and points towards the red Eisberg Sprints Jersey. Starting in Mansfield, the full route will take in more than 45 town and villages across the county, including Edwinstowe, Worksop, Eastwood, Watnall, Newstead, Southwell, Farnsfield, Coddington, Scooby, Retford and finishing in Newark. Councillor John Cottee, Committee Chairman for communities at Nottinghamshire County Council said, “This is the biggest free-to-attend sporting event ever to come to Nottinghamshire and preparations are now well under way. We look forward to a fantastic turn-out across the route – with the excitement due to step up a gear at the three sprint locations as well as at Eaton Wood for the King of the Mountain section of the race.” Villagers in Collingham are already working hard to make sure tour riders get a big welcome when they make the final, lung-busting miles of the day as well as cheering them on for the third and final sprint. Led by the Parish Council, and supported by the local Business Club, the whole village is coming together to make sure everyone enjoys the spectacle of international athletes racing through the village, against a predominately yellow backdrop of bunting, balloons, flags and decorated bikes. Michael Davies from Collingham Parish Council said, “Bunting-making teams are already busy at work, and will be joined in the summer break by youngsters of the Collingham holiday club. Local cycling enthusiasts and Collingham Cycle Club members are leaflet dropping around the village to make sure everyone knows what is going on, and have the opportunity to dress the homes and businesses along the race route in appropriate style.” “More than 90 pupils from the local John Blow Primary School are set to line the streets on the day, but with a special twist, as they will be putting on a special spinning display –created by using two giant parachutes made to look like bike wheels - to catch the attention of the TV helicopter tracking the event. “Local spectators will be able to follow the full race action on a big-screen TV in the village. This is being sponsored by Lincolnshire Co-op, which has a big store in the village, and local house-builders Gusto Homes.” The race – which is being staged in Nottinghamshire for the first time - will depart from Mansfield’s Market Square via Leeming Street at 11am and is expected to finish on Victoria Street alongside Devon and Sconce Park in Newark at around 3.20pm. Full details of the route is available at www.nottscc.gov.uk/tourofbritain