South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

Southampton gears up for The Tour of Britain 2007

21 June 2007

Southampton gears up for The Tour of Britain 2007 Southampton City Council has today (Monday 18th June) announced that it will be hosting the prestigious Tour of Britain Cycle Race for the first time, thanks to joint sponsorship with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). The race will arrive at Hoglands Park in the centre of the city on Monday 10th September at approximately having started at Palmer Park in Reading earlier that day.

Southampton Bargate with left to right:
Paul Rowlands (Tour of Britain), Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Stephen Barnes-Andrews and Paddy Herlihy, the South East Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games

The Tour of Britain, which is Britain's leading professional cycle race and the biggest live free sporting event, is seven days in length, starting in London on 9th September and finishing in Glasgow on 15th September. The 2007 race promises to be bigger and better than previous years with the route going from South to North for the first time.

The 96 riders that will be taking part in the South East stage, can expect a gruelling 140 km route race, at an average speed of over 25 miles per hour.

Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of The Tour of Britain said: "This is the second year that The Tour of Britain has visited the South East region and this route is one of the most scenic of the tour. We would like to express our gratitude to all the partners, sponsors and supporters in the region which have come together to make the event possible. We hope to reward your support with a great day of racing and entertainment for everyone who comes to watch."

The announcement that England's South East will play a high profile role in the Tour further strengthens the region's commitment to maximising the benefits of this major event for the region.

Paddy Herlihy, the South East Co-ordinator for the 2012, said: "As a region we have an enviable record for hosting major sporting and cultural events, bringing huge economic benefits to the region. With our support of The Tour of Britain and next month's Tour de France we hope to highlight the South East's potential for cycle tourism."

For further information about The Tour of Britain please log onto www.tourofbritain.co.uk.