TOUR OF BRITAIN CYCLING RACE COMES TO THE SOUTH EAST
6 June 2006: The Tour of Britain Cycle Race is coming to the South East of England for the first time on Saturday 2 September this year
Competitors will be cycling through the glorious countryside of Kent, known as the garden of England, in the penultimate stage of the race, starting in the historic town of Rochester with the finish line being in the world renowned city of Canterbury.
TSE recognises the economic significance and marketing opportunities derived from major sporting events. This is why Lindsey Horton, Major Sports Events Manager at TSE along with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Medway Council, Kent County Council and Canterbury City Council has secured the fifth stage of the premier Tour of Britain International Cycling Event in Kent.
Lindsey Horton, Major Sports Events Manager at TSE said: "We are proud that Kent has been chosen for the penultimate leg of the Tour of Britain and we are delighted to welcome this blue riband cycling event to the South East. We hope this will be the start of such prestigious sporting events coming to the region and encourage visitors and residents to use the delights of the South East for more sporting activities."
Spectators from towns and villages along the route are expected to take to the streets to watch world class cyclists compete in the race and share in the excitement of cultural events happening across the county, enjoying a fantastic spectacle and a free fun day out for the whole family.
This 6 day sporting event is now part of the elite professional cycling calendar, and sits alongside one of the world's most famous sporting events, the Tour de France, which Kent is preparing to host in 2007.
Head of European and Cultural Policy at SEEDA, Stella Bellem added: "The Tour of Britain is a fantastic opportunity for Kent and the South East region. SEEDA and its partners throughout the county are delighted to be welcoming this exciting event. It will raise the profile of the county and provide an opportunity to showcase our magnificent countryside as well as boosting cycling to a wide audience."
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For further information please contact Jodie Hodge, TSE Corporate Communications on 023 8062 5502 or jhodge@tourismse.com or Lindsey Horton on 07725 792407 or lhorton@tourismse.com
Visit http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk for further information on the Tour of Britain.
Notes to Editor
Tourism South East is the strategic tourism body for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex.