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02
Jul
'Brilliant news': Excitement builds in Ripon as international sports event heads to district
Cyclists, politicians and business leaders in Ripon and the wider Dales have hailed the “brilliant news” that Britain’s premier cycling event will pass through the area in two months’ time.
The Stray Ferret reported yesterday (July 1) that the Tour of Britain men's race, which features the world’s best riders, will sweep through Ripon, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge on Saturday, September 5.
The Tour of Britain attracts elite international teams and is broadcast to more than 100 countries.
With thousands of people expected to cheer on the racers, the day could provide the biggest boost for retail and tourism since the Tour de France in 2014.
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority agreed to pay British Cycling £200,000 to host a stage of the event this year and in 2027.
Neil Dunkley, who owns independent Ripon bike shop Moonglu and co-founded the 200-member cycling club and racing team that has the same name, said it was “brilliant news for Ripon and a welcome return to the area of a large-scale cycling event”.
He added:
The stage will come through the heart of the city, passing Ripon racecourse and Ripon Cathedral before heading west to Pateley Bridge and into the Yorkshire Dales. There will be a great opportunity for Ripon to embrace the event and come out in force to spectate and support the riders.
Moonglu founder Neil Dunkley
‘Vicious’ climb at Greenhow
Harrogate, which hosted the 2014 Tour de France and the 2019 UCI Road World Championships, misses out on the route this time but Tom Denwood, co-chair of Harrogate Nova Cycling Club, said club members were “super excited” that “the cycling county of England” was chosen.
He added:
Stage 4, on the Saturday, includes Greenhow, Kidstones, Cray and Grinton; are all great climbs and will put even the pro peloton to the test.
As Harrogate Nova cycling club, for those members not volunteering, we can’t wait to ride out and watch the race in action. Probably at Greenhow - as it’s local and vicious!
There are also some Sportives — mass participation events — being organised by our friends at Struggle Events, based on the men and women’s routes, so look out for them if you fancy your own personal challenge.
The Tour of Britain route through the district.
Roads resurfaced?
The race is expected to provide a late summer boost for Dales firms.
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon Business Improvement District, said:
“We are thrilled that the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and Lloyds Tour of Britain have chosen to include Ripon in stage 4 and we are encouraging our BID businesses to get behind the event.”
Ms Bathurst added that outlying BID members, such as The Furlong & Furrow in Bridge Hewick and G&Ts Ice Cream in Risplith would also benefit, as well as city bike shops Moonglu and Yorkshire Bikemonger.
Ripon mayor, Councillor Andrew Williams, welcomed the news, saying the short-term disruption caused by road closures would be outweighed by the opportunities presented.
He added: “I hope the route takes them through streets that are uneven so they can be resurfaced in time.”
Cllr Andrew Murday, who represents Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, said he expected rolling road closures on the day but the race “provides an opportunity to advertise North Yorkshire, particularly Nidderdale”.
Cllr Robert Windass, who represents Boroughbridge and Claro, said he hoped the event would recreate the spirit of the 2014 Tour de France.
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