It’s now just one more month before the UK’s leading cycling event heads back to Nottinghamshire and passes right through the centre of Ruddington.
As in 2018, on Thursday September 8th villagers will again be able to line our streets to enjoy the spectacle of over one hundred of the world’s best riders competing near the start of Stage Five of The ‘Tour of Britain’ – as it wends its way 116.2 miles from West Bridgford to Mansfield that day.
Hoping to be among those elite cyclists is Ruddington’s very own Ollie Peckover {pictured top – photo courtesy of Rushcliffe Borough Council} who brought his bike over onto The Green during Saturday’s Ruddington Village Market {6th August} to remind us that this prestigious sporting event is now getting very close indeed!
“I cannot wait for it” says Ollie, who rides with the British Ribble Weldtite team. “It’s always amazing to see how communities come together and line the routes. Last year there were parts of the race where you could barely hear yourself think. Hopefully that will be replicated throughout Nottinghamshire next month!”
He continues: “I was out watching the race on the roadside when it came the county in 2017 and 2018. Seeing the speed at which they raced was just phenomenal. It was always a dream to race it, and getting first-hand experience last year was an amazing experience. Potentially having an opportunity to race a stage on home roads has been such a motivation for me throughout the 2022 season. I know the roads really well. I’ve learnt the stage route metre-by-metre so I feel like I’m prepared for it!”
Councillor John Cottee, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, adds: “Communities along the route are busy preparing to transform their towns and villages into a spectacular sea of colour to give the competitors a huge Nottinghamshire welcome as they make their way from West Bridgford to Mansfield on race day. Once again, we’ve got a fantastic opportunity to attract more tourists to our wonderful county as well as get more people out on their bikes. It really will be a day to remember and I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone associated with the Tour of Britain to Nottinghamshire in a month’s time.”
After filling our village streets with bright yellow bicycles, yellow business window displays, a giant knitted scarf and smiley yellow flags last time around, preparations for this September 8th by Ruddington community groups, Parish Council and individuals are now at an advanced stage. We’ll bring you 2022 photos at RUDDINGTON.info soon!
On the day itself spectators can watch all the action by the roadside for free. The riders will be entering Ruddington along Wilford Road at around 11am, heading through High Street, taking a left turn into Kirk Lane and then a right turn onto Loughborough Road on their way to East Leake. To ensure clear passage, driving and parking restrictions will again be in place along this route on the day.
A full Stage Five route map and and timings are available online >>HERE<<.
ITV4 will again be broadcasting ‘live’ flag-to-flag coverage of every stage plus a nightly highlights show, allowing Ruddington cycling fans to watch wherever we are. The race will also be shown in over 150 countries worldwide, thanks to the event’s partnerships with Eurosport and the Global Cycling Network.
In 2018, the Nottinghamshire Tour of Britain stage attracted 250,000 spectators to make it the largest sporting event in the county’s history, leading to our area enjoying an estimated economic boost of £3.9 million being spent by participants and spectators on accommodation, food and drink and shopping – including a welcome boost for village centre shops and hospitality businesses here in Ruddington.
Although it’s on a Thursday rather than a Saturday this time, it’s hoped our village can still benefit from another welcome boost during this now internationally famous cycling event.
