CHESTER is to host the penultimate round of a major tour of England cycling event this summer.
In the same month as Cheshire West and Chester Council secured £2.4m to improve the city’s cycling infrastructure, organisers of the Tour Series announced Chester as one of its host cities.
The national race, that pits ten teams of five riders against each other in ten English towns cities, will take over 1.4k of the city-centre’s streets on June 23 at 7pm.
It comes after Chester was named as one of 17 cycling demonstration towns.
Cllr Neil Ritchie said: “I’m delighted that Cheshire West and Chester Council has been able to bring such a fabulous and high-profile event to the borough.
“It’s extremely timely with the launch of the city’s new Cycling Demonstration Town status and reflects the new council’s commitment to investing in cultural opportunities for local people and visitors. I’m looking forward to the event and it’s sure to be an exciting evening for everyone.”
The Tour Series will race around ten English towns and cities including Milton Keynes, Exeter, Woking, Peterborough, Blackpool, Southport, Stoke-on-Trent, Colchester, Chester and Southend-On-Sea.
And such is the interest in the event, it has attracted the attention of TV executives with ITV4 dedicating a series of hour-long highlights programmes to be broadcast the day after each event from 7-8pm.
Tour technical director Mick Bennett said: “We are extremely pleased to have Chester as part of the Tour Series.
“By bringing residents, local businesses and cycle sport together, Chester will help celebrate the best of British cycle racing as well as promote a healthier way of living.”
For details of the route and further details, see www.tourseries.co.uk.
