Isle of Wight ferry company Wightlink have signed up as an official sponsor of this year’s final stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race, which comes to the Isle of Wight on Sunday, 11 September.
More than 100 of the world’s top cyclists will be racing from Ryde to a thrilling uphill finish at The Needles in a 150-kilometre (93-mile) stage.
Many of the competitors, as well as the tens of thousands of spectators expected to travel to the Isle of Wight, will be travelling with Wightlink who are a Official Travel Partner to this year’s Tour of Britain.
Keith Greenfield, Wightlink Chief Executive, said: “The beautiful Isle of Wight is a fantastic place for cyclists, whether professional racers, keen amateurs or families just enjoying a day out on two wheels.
“We are delighted to team up with the Tour of Britain organisers to promote the race and carry riders and spectators across the Solent to watch the action and are sure Sunday 11 September will be an incredible day for everyone.”
Wightlink is an award-winning ferry operator, linking the Isle of Wight with Hampshire through two convenient car ferry routes from Portsmouth to Fishbourne and from Lymington to Yarmouth, and a foot passenger service linking Portsmouth Harbour with Ryde Pier, that’s ideal for visitors heading to the stage start in Ryde.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet member for regeneration and tourism at Isle of Wight Council, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Wightlink as official travel partner for the Isle of Wight leg of the Tour of Britain, and thank them for their support.
“We are all excited for the arrival of the race in September and today’s announcement gives the event a further boost.”
Will Myles, Managing Director of Visit Isle of Wight, added: “The final stage of the Tour of Britain on the Isle of Wight looks set to be one of the most spectacular finishes ever. The Island is the ultimate destination for cyclists, whether out on a gentle ride with family and friends, or racing against some of the fastest cyclists in the world. Events need support and we welcome Wightlink as a key partner, whose help will go towards making this finale such an incredible spectacle.”
ITV4 will continue to broadcast live flag-to-flag coverage of every stage and nightly highlights show, allowing fans in the UK to watch wherever they are. The race will also be shown in over 150 countries worldwide, thanks to the event’s partnerships with Eurosport and the Global Cycling Network.
Last year’s star-studded race was won by Belgian rider Wout Van Aert (Team Jumbo – Visma), with reigning world road race champion Julian Alaphilippe finishing third overall. According to research by Frontline, a roadside crowd of over one million spectators resulted in the Tour of Britain generating £29.96m of net economic benefit for the UK economy.
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About the Tour of Britain
Stages
Stage one Sunday 4 September: Aberdeen to Glenshee Ski Centre
Stage two Monday 5 September: Hawick to Duns
Stage three Tuesday 6 September: Durham to Sunderland
Stage four Wednesday 7 September: Redcar to Duncombe Park, Helmsley
Stage five Thursday 8 September: West Bridgford to Mansfield
Stage six Friday 9 September: Tewkesbury to Gloucester
Stage seven Saturday 10 September: West Bay to Ferndown
Stage eight Sunday 11 September: Ryde to The Needles
Relaunched in 2004 after a five-year absence from the calendar, the Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, held annually across eight days in September.
The free-to-watch sporting spectacular features Olympic, world and Tour de France champions, and attracts a roadside audience of over 1.5m spectators. Live coverage of the race is shown daily in the UK on ITV4, in addition to around the world. The Tour of Britain is part of the UCI ProSeries, making it one of the most prestigious sporting events in the sport’s global calendar.
Follow the Tour of Britain on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or via the event’s official website at tourofbritain.co.uk.
For further media information, please contact:
Peter Hodges / peterH@thetour.co.uk / +44 7970 526 519
Nick Bull / nickb@thetour.co.uk / +44 7977 151 184
