Steven Burke and Richard Handley help launch The Tour of Britain in England’s Northwest

Organisers of The Tour of Britain, as well as representatives from Blackpool Council, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), have officially launched Stage One of this year’s Tour of Britain, with help from Olympic Bronze medallist Steven Burke and fellow Northwest rider Richard Handley.

“It’s brilliant to have The Tour of Britain in the Northwest.  For the actual start to be in Rochdale it’s not too far from my home in Colne, so it’s a big thing for cycling in the Northwest and in this area,” said Steven Burke of the Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta team.

“It’s going to be a tough first stage to Blackpool, right from the off,” continued 22-year-old Burke.  “I think there’ll be a few splits but it all should come back together for a sprint finish on the promenade.  For sure it’s going to be tough stage for all the riders.”

Wigan based Richard Handley will be a member of the Team Raleigh squad that makes its Tour of Britain debut.

 “It should be a good race.  It’s a longer race than I’ve been doing before this season, so it should make a good change,” said Richard, who turns 20 next week.

Speaking about his debut in The Tour, Richard said;

“I’m a bit nervous.  It’s just going to be a baptism of fire really, but I’m looking forward to it.  It’s good to start pretty close to home, as the first stage is local for me, so I can expect my Mum and Dad to come out and cheer me on.”
Stage One of the 2010 Tour will take the 100 professional riders, including famous names like Olympians Bradley Wiggins and Ed Clancy, the 133 kilometres from Rochdale to Blackpool, passing through the stunning scenery of the Forest of Bowland along the way.

England’s Northwest has been a fixture on the route of The Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest professional cycle race every year since The Tour’s rebirth in 2004, when the race began in Manchester. 

While Rochdale will be celebrating the first visit by The Tour of Britain on Saturday 11th September, for Blackpool it will be the fifth time that The Tour has come to town, with the popular beach resort having twice before held stage finishes – in 2005 when Roger Hammond won, and in 2009 when eventual Tour winner Edvald Boasson Hagen took the honours on the promenade. 

Sheldon Phillips, Head of Regional Major Events, at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said:

“We are once again delighted to welcome ‘The Tour’ to England’s Northwest. Since 2004, the region has seen some of the world’s most competitive cyclist’s power through our cities, towns and rural spaces, providing a wonderful spectacle for visitors to the area.

“The Northwest has earned an excellent reputation for successfully hosting major sporting and cultural events, which bring huge economic benefits to the region. As home to British Cycling and in the build up to 2012, the region has grown in stature as a cyclist’s paradise, with millions of pounds invested into all manner of cycling initiatives, including the National Cycling Centre and the National Indoor BMX Centre. With hundreds of miles of off-road trails, moorland tracks and coastal plains, the region is certainly best discovered on two wheels.”

Councillor Maxine Callow, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Regeneration at Blackpool Council, commented: “It is great to see The Tour of Britain once again return to Blackpool. It really drew the crowds in to see them last year and this year we expect even more. It will be an exciting final sprint along the promenade and a real spectacle for visitors and residents to see.

“It takes place on the weekend of the Firework Championships which I know will really make the event go off with a bang. We are also proud to be hosting the Grand Depart on the Friday prior to the race and I hope the riders will enjoy their time in Blackpool.”

Rochdale will be celebrating the first visit by The Tour of Britain on Saturday 11 September. 
 
Council Leader, Councillor Irene Davidson said:
 
“I am very pleased that Rochdale is hosting such a prestigious race. The Tour of Britain provides an ideal opportunity for our residents to watch one of the biggest cycling events in the British calendar.  It’s going to be a great spectator event and there will be lots going on … a real party atmosphere.

“Residents will get a chance to witness first-hand the spectacle of a professional cycle race. It may even inspire some of our residents to take up cycling themselves!"

“We’re delighted to be returning to England’s Northwest for the Grand Depart of this year’s Tour of Britain”, said Race Director Mick Bennett.

“The Northwest has provided a fantastic venue for The Tour over the past six editions of the race, so I’m sure it will do so once again in 2010.  We have an excellent, world-class field of riders from 17 top teams taking part in The Tour of Britain this year, so whether spectators are coming to Rochdale, Blackpool or one of the King of the Mountains climbs in the Forest of Bowland, they are in for an unforgettable experience.”

The Tour of Britain is proud to be partnered with The Prostate Cancer Charity.  Don’t forget this September your chance to follow in the wheel tracks of the professionals and ride three stages from The Tour of Britain.  Go to www.tourride.co.uk to find out more!