Record crowds, cycling stars and a new beer – the Tour has it all
With sporting superstars, a record crowd, a new beer and the backing of a living legend, the South West stages of the Tour of Britain have it all.
Tens of thousands turned out in glorious sunshine yesterday to cheer the international cast of more than 90 riders as they raced through Somerset and into Devon for the first of the two South West stages – the sixth and seventh of the tour.
Hundreds of schoolchildren, wielding Somerset County Council "thundersticks", ensured a noisy welcome.
Norwegian cycling sensation Edvald Boasson Hagen, 22, of the American Team Columbia- HTC, won yesterday's stage, his fourth in a row.
Belgium's Thomas De Gendt, racing with Topsport Vlaanderen, won maximum King of the Mountains and Sprints points to top the standings in both competitions.
Today's 159km stage begins at Hatherleigh and roars back into Somerset passing through Chard and East Chinnock Hollow heading for what could be another thrilling finish at Yeovil Town football ground.
Boasson Hagen will be wearing the leader's yellow jersey, and is now 19 seconds ahead of his nearest rival overall, Dutchman Kai Reus.
Around 5,000 people descended on Frome early yesterday as it hosted the start of a stage for the first time.
And thousands had gathered in the town on Wednesday night for the Velo Jam, a pre-race celebration which included the "Cobble Wobble", an uphill cycling time-trial.
De Alex Moulton, 89, of Bradford on Avon, inventor of the Moulton collapsible bicycle and the Mini's suspension, was among those at the Velo Jam, while the town's Milk Street brewery has produced a special beer – Cobble Wobble – in honour of the occasion.
Communities across the two counties hope to benefit from the race which pulls in visitors and raises the region's profile as a visitor attraction.
The Mayor of Frome, Councillor Damon Hooton, who flagged the riders off in Frome and travelled to Bideford to see them race across the finish line, said: "There are real benefits to the economy and regeneration in having a race of this stature coming to a small market town. Last night in Frome we had 3,000 to 5,000 people out on the streets enjoying the Velo Jam, and no trouble – the police joined in the Cobble Wobble. We will go ahead with the Velo Jam and the Cobble Wobble again next year; we can build a whole weekend of events, and if the race wants to come back to Frome, too, we'll welcome it."
Councillor David Huxtable, Somerset County Council cabinet member for resources, said: "The county council have sponsored the Tour of Britain from 2007 to 2011 in an effort to boost the local economy and to promote cycling as a fun and healthy activity. Today's race went really well and I am looking forward to watching the riders cross the line at the finish in Yeovil tomorrow.
FARMER'S ANGER OVER 'ZEALOUS' POLICE ACTION DURING TOUR OF BRITAIN
8 Comments
by Ed (not Jilted John), Frome
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 11:10AM
“I am not responsible for the impostor using your username either John. The clue is: I can spell!
I may disagree with many things you say John, but I defend your right to say it and I wouldn't bother pretending to be you. What's the point in that?”
by The real jilted john(not ed), nr frome
Tuesday, September 22 2009, 10:23AM
“I am not responsable for the "imposter"using my username.”
by wendy winblos, frome
Saturday, September 19 2009, 8:17AM
“Great event and good for Frome and Mendip. Must be the biggest event to hit Frome in my memory.
Did there need to be quite so many motorcyclists and chase cars?
There is obviously a huge cost to this which must ultimately be born by Joe public somewhere.”
by David Dwyfor, Clink
Friday, September 18 2009, 3:54PM
“HP confuses his Councils. Frome Town Council hosted the Tour of Britain and pulled off brilliant parallel events. Mendip District Counci - the absentee Council - played little part. It is they are who shut ShopMobility and came close to shutting the Tourist Information Centre in Frome. One questions MDC's usefulness to Frome.”
by jilted john, nr frome
Friday, September 18 2009, 11:21AM
“H P why you knock everything? its was very good for frome this is a up and comeing town please be positive or move out if its that bad!”
by fromie, frome
Friday, September 18 2009, 10:20AM
“HP you have a good point, and I guess we also should wonder who paid for the Mayoral limousine trip to Bideford?”
by Happy local, Frome
Friday, September 18 2009, 10:08AM
“What a wonderful and very well organised event . Huge numbers of people turned out in support on both the Wednesday and Thursday, which can only have been good for the local area. A lot of the event was supported/organised by volunteers who gave up their free time in the lead up and days of the events. There was an amazing community atmosphere on both days, which was fabulous and I am certainly hoping that the Tour of Britain comes to Frome again next year. Well done to all those involved.”
by H. P., Frome
Friday, September 18 2009, 9:47AM
“How wonderful that our council here in Frome could afford to host the Tour of
Britain.
What a contrast between the fit, ambulant cyclists and the frail elderly,
chronically ill and disabled people who can no longer do their day to day
shopping in Frome because the council, having spent a large amount of rate
payers money on incorporating a Shopmobility office into the new toilet block,
have now closed the Shopmobility down in order to save money.
It's good to know where the council's priorities lie.”