| 11 May 2009 |
| CYCLING CARNIIVAL PARADE TO ENTERTAIN RACE-GOERS |
Cycling carnival parade to entertain city centre race-goers
A cycling carnival parade, BMX displays and bike check-ups will entertain people flocking to the city centre for the Tour Series Peterborough cycle race.
The televised race, on Thursday June 4 at 7pm, will see ten teams of five professional cyclists race 30 laps of a 1.1km course through the city centre.
But the event is not just for professional cycling enthusiasts. City organisers are busy planning a day of activities suitable for the whole family, including BMX displays, bike demonstrations and a cycling carnival parade.
There will also be a diverse selection of unusual bikes for visitors to try as well as cycle race simulation games. What’s more, visitors can bring their own bikes into the city centre for a free maintenance check-up.
With 10,000 people expected to visit the city to witness the high-profile race, members of the public must pre-register for permission to cycle around the city centre route before the international sports stars battle it out for the coveted winner’s jersey.
Trevor Gibson, Environment Capital director at Opportunity Peterborough, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Peterborough to showcase its environmental credentials to a local regional and national audience. We want local communities to celebrate all that’s great about the city and make the build up to the main event a really memorable day with a lasting and positive legacy.”
Annette Joyce, city centre director with Peterborough City Council, added: “The race will be a great family occasion and we expect it to attract visitors from a wide area. Obviously, people need to be aware of the traffic control arrangements, so it would be great if as many people as possible would enter into the spirit of the event and cycle into the city centre.”
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.
Cycling activities will be taking place throughout the day at a variety of locations including Cathedral Green, Long Causeway and around the track.
Peterborough is one of 10 cities across the UK to host a race in the Tour Series, which will be shown on ITV4.
For more information on registering to cycle the Tour Series route, send an email to freewheeling@peterborough.gov.uk
Ends
Note to editors
Pictures and logo are available.
Trevor Gibson will be available for interviews and filming opportunities.
Additional information is available at www.opportunitypeterborough.co.uk and www.tourseries.co.uk
For further media information contact
Rebecca Stephens at Opportunity Peterborough
Tel: 078 796 33 796
Email: Rebecca.stephens@opportunitypeterborough.co.uk
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