ROCHDALE PREPARES TO WELCOME WORLD’S ELITE With just months to go before the Tour de France comes to Rochdale, planning for the world’s biggest free sporting event is well underway. The borough is preparing for an influx of tourists for the largest free sporting event on Sunday 6th July. Around a kilometre of the route passes into Rochdale – along a section of B6138 and the A58 adjacent to Blackstone Edge Reservoir. The route includes a sharp bend which will slow the tour down and maximise viewing opportunities. Thousands of spectators are expected and it will take well over an hour for the racing cyclists, support teams and media to pass through. Council Leader Colin Lambert said it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase an amazing area to people all over the world: “We are expecting thousands to line the route by Blackstone Edge and for local businesses it’s a great opportunity. Littleborough will become one of the main gateways into the event and the volume of spectators will create a huge opportunity for businesses and attractions following the race so it is important we capitalise on this and ensure racegoers are aware of what’s on and encouraged to stay, and also return in the future.” A series of events are being planned in and around Littleborough, building up to the big day - the weekend before, the day itself, and the weekend following the Tour de France. These include a Triathlon Challenge, a two day Littleborough Festival, Farmers Market, numerous cycling inspired events including a Tour of Rochdale, a School Sports Challenge and the annual Rush Bearing Festival. There are plans to hold a concert in Littleborough on the Friday before the race and
16
www.rochdalestyle.com
to show the cycling action plus World Cup football on a big screen in Harehill Park. Link4Life’s popular ‘Big Games’ events will also return with a cycling theme and arrangements are being made for the official Tour de France Grand Départ trophy to visit the borough this spring. John Kay, Chairman of Pennine Business and Tourism Forum in partnership with Pennine Prospects, said: "The Tour de France really is a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's the world's largest annual sports event, it’s entirely free for spectators and it’s on our doorstep! We hope that as many people as possible, local residents as well as visitors and businesses, really enjoy the Tour de France … and it is our intention to do all we can to make that the case." Although only 1km of the race is in Rochdale, the stretch is recognised as being one of the most fascinating sections of the route and is the culmination of the longest continuous hill climb in England. To find out more visit www.rochdale.gov.uk.
YOU CAN ALWAYS RESERVE YOUR BIKE/SCOOTER! LARGE range of MTB –Road-Hybrid BMX& kids bikes from: Cannondale - Scott – GT – Mongoose.
ROCHDALE’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT BIKE STORE ESTABLISHED 36 YEARS
OPENING TIMES: MON-FRI: 9AM-5.30PM SAT: 9AM-5PM SUN: 11AM-3.30PM
CHRIS PAULSON CYCLES 246-252 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, OL16 2DP. TEL: 01706 633426 SHOP ONLINE www.chrispaulsoncycles.co.uk
FREE DELIVERY * subject to status.