Tour of Britain

What?

• The Tour of Britain is Britain’s leading cycling race and has been granted world championship ranking status by the Union Cyclisme Internationale, (UCI). As a result it is now considered a major international cycling event alongside races such as the Tour de France and Girod’ Italia
• The 2007 Tour included a programme of activities with exhibits from the local bicycle museum, DR Bike sessions and stalls and junior track sessions
• Support events at the finish included a Trade Expo displaying some of the latest cycling equipment and offering people the opportunity to ask questions to cycling experts
• A Go-Ride event, hosted by British Cycling, was also held for children from local cycling clubs in order to test their bike handling skills

When?

• The modern tour began in 2005, with a 3 year South East stage in place from 2006-2008
  

How?

• In 2005, SEEDA’s major sports events manager approached the Tour’s organisers with a view to hosting a stage in the region in 2006
• In 2006 the organisers developed a proposal and SEEDA, through the Major Sports Events Steering Group (made up of representatives from Sport England South East; South East England Development Agency; Tourism South East; Culture South East and the Regional Sports Board Group) secured a three year deal to support the Tour 
  
• A stage of the Tour of Britain was held for the first time in 2006 in Kent. The race started in Rochester and finished in the city of Canterbury. The stage was a four way partnership between Major Sports Events, Kent County Council, Medway Council and Canterbury City Council

Summary

• It is estimated that 1,200 spectators attended the start of the stage, 7,500 watched the finish and 85,000 saw the race along the route
• 32 Reading Rising Stars from Palmer Park Velo led the elite riders at the start of the race with over 200 children from six local schools attending
• 500 volunteers assisted across the entire Tour with a large proportion of these being based in the region