Olympic Stars Come To Somerset
| Published: 21st August 2008 17:07 |
Somerset County Council has announced that champions from Great Britain's Olympic cycling team will be competing in the Tour of Britain, which comes to Somerset on Tuesday 9 September.
Beijing Olympic gold medal winners Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas and bronze medal winner Chris Newton will be joined in Somerset by Mark Cavendish, the only Briton to win four stages of the Tour de France in a single year.
Somerset County Council is hosting the South West stage of the Tour of Britain which will start in Chard and finish in Burnham-on-Sea. The race is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the County to cheer on the riders and congratulate the Olympic champions.
The South West stage is set to be one of the toughest stages of the race set in the picturesque landscape of Somerset and parts of North Devon. The route will pass through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Exmoor National Park and will include three E.ON King of the Mountain challenges.
Councillor Alvin Horsfall, Somerset County Council's Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: "The Great Britain Olympic Team has set a new standard for competitive cycling. It will be great for residents and visitors to see the stars of the Olympics competing in Somerset. Last year the race attracted over 70,000 spectators and we hope the recent success of British cycling will attract even more crowds this year."
Graham Bagely, Somerset County Council's Tour of Britain Project Manager, said: "The successes in the Tour de France and the Olympics has made 2008 a really exciting year for British cycling. The Tour of Britain will be a great event to celebrate this success and see the stars of British cycling compete against each other in Somerset for the toughest stage of the race."
For more information about the Tour of Britain in Somerset
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