Town chosen to host key time trial stage - The Evesham Observer

Town chosen to host key time trial stage

Evesham Editorial 20th Jul, 2019   0

A MAJOR national cycling event which attracts the world’s best cycling stars will pass through Pershore this autumn with the town set to host an individual time trial.

Pershore will be the venue for potentially race-deciding stage when it hosts the challenge on day six of this year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

Cycling stars will tackle a nine mile, 14.5km individual time trial which starts and finishes in the town and passes through Little Comberton and Bricklehampton during a scenic anti-clockwise loop.

The spectator-friendly day of racing on Thursday, September 12 will allow fans to see world-class riders competing up close as they tackle the course individually.




The stage is the third of its kind to be held in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain since 2016, following ones in Bristol and Clacton-on-Sea.

Riders passed through Pershore during the 2014 and 2017 tours but this is the first time Pershore has hosted an individual stage.


“Britain’s cycling heritage is built on time trialling, so we’re delighted that the 2019 OVO Energy Tour of Britain will feature such a stage,” said race director Mick Bennett.

“Time trials are the purest form of cycling: it is man and machine versus the clock – the strongest rider on the day in Worcestershire will be victorious.

“Our Pershore individual time trial may be the shortest stage of this year’s race, but it will go some way to deciding who is crowned our overall champion in Manchester 48 hours later.”

Coun Rob Adams, community engagement, culture and sport portfolio holder at Wychavon District Council, added:

“It’s absolutely brilliant we have the Tour of Britain back in our district. Having a time trial means people have greater opportunities to enjoy the excitement and prestige of the race.”

Reigning British time trial champion Alex Dowsett, a former race leader and stage winner in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, and his Katusha Alpecin team will be among the 20 world-class squads competing in the event.

Residents along the route can support the event in a number of ways, from lining the course to decorating their homes or entering the OVO Energy Tour of Britain’s National Land Art competition. Full stage timings will be released in August.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their doorstep and helping to build a great cycling nation.

ITV4 will once again screen live free-to-air coverage flag-to-flag of each stage in the UK, along with a nightly highlights programme of the best of the action.

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