The Halfords Tour Series hits the English Riviera
Torquay welcomes Series to South Devon’s Beautiful Bay
The Halfords Tour Series will return to the South West this June, as Torquay gets set to hold the first ever round of the unique team based Series on the English Riviera.
Britain’s top professional cyclists, led by defending champions Rapha Condor Sharp, will arrive in Torquay on Tuesday 5th June, for an action packed evening of racing to conclude the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend. Highlights from the Torquay round of The Halfords Tour Series will be shown on ITV4 the following evening.
Mayor, Gordon Oliver and Leader, said: “Torbay is very pleased to welcome the Halfords Tour Series here for the first time. This is a prestigious word-class event and a challenge to all the competing cyclists.
"It is great in this Olympic year, and with all the other high profile local events taking place, that we are able to showcase all that is good about the Bay. These type of events help reinforce the message that this is a place where people want to live, work and visit."
Adding his support to the Torquay round of The Halfords Tour Series is Endura Racing’s Jon Tiernan Locke, winner of the Skoda King of the Mountains title during the 2011 Tour of Britain and recent victor in both the Tour of the Mediterranean and Tour du Haut Var.
"It's fantastic news that The Halfords Tour Series will be coming to the South West,” said Tiernan Locke, “And will certainly be a real boost for cycling in the region. In my mind Torquay is the perfect backdrop for all the drama and atmosphere of this top level series, and I can’t wait to see the streets transformed into a race circuit for the night!"
“We are very pleased to be bringing The Halfords Tour Series to Torquay, particularly on this special date,” said Series Director Mick Bennett.
“I know many fans of The Halfords Tour Series were disappointed that there was no South West round last season, so we hope that spectators will take advantage of the long Bank Holiday weekend to stay in Torquay and to come and enjoy the action as the Series returns to the South West, on what will be one of our most picturesque circuits.”
The Halfords Tour Series last raced in the South West in 2010, when thousands of spectators turned out to see the Exeter round of the Series. The South West has also played host to successful stages of The Tour of Britain since 2007, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to the roadside annually for Britain’s biggest professional cycle race.
The identities of the remaining venues making up the 2012 Halfords Tour Series will be revealed over the coming weeks.