Liverpool and Blackpool gear up for Tour of Britain finale

England’s Northwest will this year once again play host to the prestigious Tour of Britain Cycle Race, thanks to sponsorship from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

This year England’s Northwest is set to host the finale of the Tour on 14th September. The announcement that the final stage of this world-class cycling spectacular will run from Blackpool to Liverpool was made in London this morning (3rd April).

The Tour will visit Liverpool for the third consecutive year when the whole race culminates in the city as part of its European Capital of Culture Celebrations. The final leg of the Tour has traditionally finished on Whitehall in London.

Witnessing the race for the second time, the famous seaside resort of Blackpool will host this year’s stage start.

The last time the Northwest stage of The Tour ran from Blackpool to Liverpool in 2006 it attracted 60,000 spectators. This year, as the region hosts the final leg to coincide with Liverpool08, the Tour is expected to attract even more spectators.

The announcement that England’s Northwest will play such a high-profile role in the Tour strengthens the region’s commitment to maximising the benefits of this major event for England’s Northwest.

The NWDA has been instrumental in securing the region’s position on the Tour of Britain map since its successful re-launch in 2004.

Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing at the Northwest Regional Development Agency said:

“England's Northwest has an enviable record for hosting major sporting and cultural events, bringing huge economic benefits to the region. Bringing The Tour of Britain and Liverpool08 together is an opportunity not to be missed, and we hope to see even more spectators visiting the region this year and enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Northwest during The Tour.

"I am looking forward to seeing this exhilarating cycle race finish in the European Capital of Culture; I am confident that we will be witness to yet another world-class event.”

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Warren Bradley, said:

"The finale of the Tour of Britain promises to be a great sporting occasion and one of the highlights for the city's Capital of Culture celebrations. It is a prestigious honour to stage the finale and the race is a great addition to our growing portfolio of international sporting events. As well as showcasing the city's passion for sport I hope the event will inspire people of all ages to get on their bikes and explore our city and its beautiful parks, architecture and coastline.''

Cllr Tony Williams, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Leisure, said:

"Blackpool is extremely honoured to have been chosen as a host venue and we are looking forward to welcoming The Tour of Britain to the resort again. The Tour is an exciting and visually stimulating spectacle and the town’s continued commitment to supporting this event will help position Blackpool as a permanent location and choice on the Tour of Britain's route map.

“Blackpool Council continues to actively support and promote cycling with a wide range of activities both in the community and in our schools. We also have some of the finest and most interesting coastline and rural cycle routes in the UK that attract visiting cyclists from all over the world.”

The Tour of Britain is in its fifth year and will take place between September 7th – 14th, with the Northwest stage taking place on September 14th.

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For further information please contact Helen Batte, Tourism Press Officer on 01925 400235 or 07764 239856 or Helen.Batte@nwda.co.uk

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk

For further information on the Liverpool Culture Company contact Mike Doran on 0151 233 6761 or Mike.Doran@liverpool.gov.uk or visit www.liverpool08.com

For further information on Blackpool please contact Barbara Aird on 01253 477190 or barbara.aird@blackpool.gov.uk or visit www.blackpool.gov.uk

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life

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