Halfords Tour Series returns to Woking
Olympic stars head to Woking in televised, cycling spectacular
Woking will host a round of the unique, televised, Halfords Tour Series city-centre cycle race Series for the fourth consecutive summer this June, bringing Olympic cycling stars such as Ed Clancy and Steven Burke to the town’s roads.
The Surrey town has been a key feature of the ten-round calendar since the Series’ inception in 2009, with over 30,000 spectators having attended the three races held-to-date in Woking.
Speaking about this year’s Woking Series, Ray Morgan, Woking Borough Council’s Chief Executive, said: “We are thrilled that The Halfords Tour Series is making a return to Woking for the fourth year running, especially in the lead up to the London 2012 Cycle Road Race events which will pass through the Borough during the opening weekend of the Games.
“Last year’s Tour Series event attracted in excess of 12,000 spectators to the town and we hope that more people will attend this year’s event in order to catch an early glimpse of some Olympic hopefuls in action. As well as the professionals providing the usual exciting, high-speed drama on the track, we are pleased to announce the return of the much-loved community and business races.”
Woking hosts the penultimate round of the 2012 Halfords Tour Series on Tuesday 12th June, just over a month before the London Olympics get underway.
“In an Olympic year we are very pleased to be continuing our partnership with Woking Borough Council and bringing a top-class cycling event to Surrey,” said Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of Halfords Tour Series organisers SweetSpot Group.
“Being a Surrey based organisation it is fantastic that we can continue to put our ‘home’ round on, right on our doorstep in Woking. I am sure that as in previous years, the action will once again keep the thousands of fans turning out entertained.”
Past editions of the Woking round of The Halfords Tour Series have seen wins from Dean Downing, Dean Windsor and in 2011 Ian Wilkinson, while in 2010 the then Motorpoint Marshalls Pasta team were crowned Series Champions as Woking held the Grand Finale.
Simon Richardson from Surrey based IG Sigma Sport said; "Last year, Woking attracted a great crowd and provided fantastic support to keep us motivated throughout the race. The buzz of the crowd and the sound of the cheers can really make you work harder during the race. We hope we can rely on the crowd to get behind us again this year and we can do Woking proud!"
The identities of the remaining venues making up the 2012 Halfords Tour Series, which begins in Kirkcaldy, Fife, will be revealed over the coming weeks.
2012 Halfords Tour Series Calendar
Round One Tuesday 15th May Kirkcaldy, Fife
Round Two Thursday 17th May TBA
Round Three Tuesday 22nd May TBA
Round Four Thursday 24th May TBA
Round Five Tuesday 29th May TBA
Round Six Thursday 31st May TBA
Round Seven Tuesday 5th June Torquay, Devon
Round Eight Thursday 7th June Colchester, Essex
Round Nine Tuesday 12th June Woking, Surrey
Round Ten Thursday 14th June TBA