| 01 June 2009 |
| SCHOOLCHILDREN CHOSEN AS CYCLE RACE MASCOTS |
Schoolchildren chosen as cycle race mascots
Ten schoolchildren from Peterborough have been selected to be mascots for the Tour Series Peterborough cycle race on Thursday June 4.
Each of the 10 teams of international sportsmen taking part in the televised race through the city centre will have a Southfields Junior School child as a mascot.
The youngsters will join them on the start line outside the Town Hall as the professional cyclists prepare for the hour-long race that will see the 50 competitors reach speeds of 30mph as they negotiate 30 laps of the 1.1km course.
Southfields Junior School in Whittlesey Road, Stanground, was chosen due to its environmental credentials, work done promoting cycling to school, and activities supporting healthy lifestyles.
Headteacher Laura Martin said “It is such a privilege that 10 of our students have been invited to be mascots at this exciting event. Representing Peterborough in an international sports event is a great opportunity. The children are really looking forward to watching the race and meeting the cyclists, as well as the possibility of being on television!”
Children from schools across Peterborough have been invited to visit the city centre on June 4 to join in the day of activities celebrating the arrival of the Tour Series. As well as a cycling carnival parade and displays, people can go head-to-head with Rolapaluzza racing, try out unusual bikes with Cyclemagic, or get a free maintenance check with Dr Bike.
Trevor Gibson, director of environment capital at Opportunity Peterborough, said: "It is fantastic this high profile race is coming to Peterborough. We're trying to involve the whole community in a fun-packed day of events. I hope this will encourage children to cycle more and it may even inspire them to become professional cyclists of the future."
Councillor Gavin Elsey, the city council’s cabinet member responsible for city centre management, said: “The Tour Series race promises to be great sports entertainment, so I urge everyone to arrive early and join the fun.”
Activities kick off in Cathedral Green at 11am and the main race gets under way at 7pm. Roads will be closed along the cycle route from 2pm to allow for entertainment and pre-race preparations. Vehicles will not be able to access the area inside the race route and diversions will be in place while the south side of Bourges Boulevard is closed. The north side will remain open throughout the day.
Supported by Peterborough City Council and Opportunity Peterborough, the race itself starts outside the Town Hall, passes through Cathedral Square, up Church Street and Cowgate and left at the roundabout along Bourges Boulevard and left into Bridge Street.
For more information on the Peterborough cycle race visit www.opportunitypeterborough.co.uk or www.tourseries.co.uk.
Ends
Notes to editors
For more information or to arrange pictures/filming or interviews contact
Rebecca Stephens at Opportunity Peterborough
Tel: 078 796 33 796
Email: Rebecca.stephens@opportunitypeterborough.co.uk
Additional information is available at www.opportunitypeterborough.co.uk and www.tourseries.co.uk.
Pictures and logos are available.
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