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World’s top cyclists heading to Mansfield

Posted onPosted on 26th Apr

The UK’s premier road cycling race, featuring some of the world’s best riders and teams, is coming to Mansfield.

The town will host the start of the Nottinghamshire section — stage four — of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain in September as the event visits the district for the first time.

Around 120 of the world’s top cyclists will race a 175-kilometre stage from Mansfield to Newark on Wednesday, 6th September.

The route will also include the grounds of Newstead Abbey, the centre of Southwell, Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park.

Mike Robinson, director of economic growth at Mansfield District Council, said: “Hosting the start of the Nottinghamshire stage is a huge event for Mansfield that will attract a large number of spectators not only here but across the world through live television and other media coverage.

“The last time we hosted an event of this scale was when thousands of people lined the route of the Olympic Torch Relay in June 2012. This is another great opportunity for us and we are very excited to welcome some of cycling’s biggest stars to Mansfield.

“As well as hopefully inspiring our residents to cycle more, we hope the event will also help to generate more pride in the district through the public’s involvement in and support for the big day.

“Details will be finalised over the coming months, but there will be plenty of opportunities for people of all ages, including schoolchildren and community groups, to get involved both in advance and on the day itself.”

It is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, featuring some of the world’s top cyclists, including Olympic and world champions and Tour de France stage winners.

The tour is the UK’s highest-ranked professional stage race and attracts three hours of live coverage every day on ITV4.

Derek Higton, Nottinghamshire County Council service director for cultural services, said: “This is a great coup for Nottinghamshire to host a full stage of the UK’s biggest free-to-attend sporting event for the first time.

“With a world-wide audience of millions and 1.6 million spectators expected over the eight-day race, all eyes will be on us on 6th September.

“We are delighted at the prospect of some of the biggest names in cycling coming to our county and hope it inspires more people to cycle, whether that be to get to work, help them keep fit, or just to get out to enjoy the great outdoors.

“With 175 kilometres of Nottinghamshire roads due to be covered by the race, there will be plenty of opportunities for local spectators to be part of this fantastic event. More details will be announced over the coming months.”

It will be the first time that the county has hosted a start and finish of a stage of the race, which last passed through the county in 2015 when a stage finished in Nottingham.