The route for the final stage of The Tour of Britain 2012 to be held in Surrey on 16 September.
Surrey will host the final stage of the Tour of Britain when the national race takes place in September.
Surrey County Council has captured the last stage of the 840-mile event after bringing the men’s and women’s Olympic cycle road races and time trials to the county.
It takes place on Sunday 16 September, starting in Reigate and finishing on the cobble stones of Guildford’s steep High Street.
In recent years the race has attracted Tour de France stage winners such as Britain’s Mark Cavendish and former world champions including Thor Hushovd.
Helyn Clack, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and the 2012 Games said: “The bone juddering cobbles of Guildford will provide an exhilarating finale to this incredible event.
“We’re already hosting the Olympic cycle road races and time trials and the Tour could boost our local economy by up to £5.5 million and continue to strengthen our reputation as a world-class cycling destination.”
Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of organiser and promoter SweetSpot Group, said: “As a Surrey based company we are very excited to be putting on the final stage of The Tour of Britain on home roads.”
“In Guildford we have one of the most scenic locations for the finish of a major stage race anywhere in the world, so are eagerly anticipating Sunday 16 September.”
Cllr Tony Rooth, Guildford Borough Council Leader, said: “It’s fantastic news that Guildford, which is so popular with cyclists, will be centre stage at the finish of this prestigious national event.”
The stage will cover more than 90 miles of Surrey roads with the riders passing through Guildford early in the day before returning for the finish.
Dorking, Shere, Mayford, West Horsley, Ockley, Cranleigh, Dunsfold, Witley and Bramley are also on the route.
The race begins in Suffolk on Sunday 9 September.
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For more information journalists can contact Surrey County Council media officer Nicole Herlihy on 020 8541 8039 or email nicole.herlihy@surreycc.gov.uk
Or
SweetSpot PR Manager Peter Hodges on 0870 112 8650 or email peterh@thetour.co.uk (Images and logos are available)
Notes to Editors
The Tour of Britain
Race schedule:
Stage One Sunday 9 September Ipswich to Norfolk Showground, Norwich
Stage Two Monday 10 September Nottingham to Knowsley
Stage Three Tuesday11 September Jedburgh to Dumfries
Stage Four Wednesday 12 September Carlisle to Blackpool
Stage Five Thursday 13 September Stoke-on-Trent back to Stoke-on-Trent
Stage Six Friday 14 September Welshpool to Caerphilly
Stage Seven Saturday 15 September Barnstaple to Dartmouth
Stage Eight Sunday 16 September Reigate to Guildford
Re-launched in 2004 after a five-year absence from the calendar, The Tour of Britain is now the UK’s biggest professional cycle race and the country’s largest free-to-watch sporting event.
The Tour of Britain is proud to be partnered with IG Markets, SKODA and Yodel.
Event organisers, SweetSpot are keen and willing to meet local community groups to discuss the race.
For details of The Tour of Britain, go to www.tourofbritain.co.uk
You can follow The Tour of Britain on Twitter, via www.twitter.com/tourofbritain
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