Surrey to host final stage of Tour of Britain

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

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