Tour of Britain cycle race to make its Wirral debut

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain will head to Wirral this September as a part of the area’s celebrations as the Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture for 2019.

Details of the stage, one that will see the world’s top teams and riders heading to the peninsula, and the exact date for the race, will be announced as part of the full national launch in the Spring.

While the stage will be the first time that Wirral has hosted the UK’s most prestigious cycle race, it marks the OVO Energy Tour of Britain’s return to Merseyside for the first time since 2014.

Cllr Phil Davies, leader of Wirral Council, said: “This is incredibly exciting news.

“We can’t wait to welcome the Tour of Britain to Wirral.

“To get the chance to play host to a global sporting event, in the middle of our Borough of Culture year, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which we just could not miss.

“I am delighted we’ve been able to make it happen.”

He added: “The Tour of Britain is broadcast around the world and to have Wirral and Birkenhead centre stage is a huge honour.

“I know Wirral residents will share my excitement and I am just thrilled they will have the chance to see this event for themselves and make memories with their families which will stay with them forever.”

Cycling fever will grip the peninsula twice this year, as Wirral will also host a round of the OVO Energy Tour Series in Birkenhead on Tuesday May 21.

Both organised and promoted by SweetSpot Group, the OVO Energy Tour Series and OVO Energy Tour of Britain are broadcast on ITV4 and around the world, and will attract a six-figure spectator attendance across the two days of activities.

Nik Ellis, founder of Wirral-based bike assessing company, Laird Assessors, and avid cycling fan, said: “It’s an extremely proud moment to see the Tour of Britain staged in Wirral for the first time.

Nik Ellis

“Working in the cycling industry and being a passionate bike rider myself I believe this will do wonders to raise the profile of the sport in the region.

“In turn, it’s a major profile-raising opportunity for the Wirral peninsula, which has been awarded the Liverpool City Region ‘Borough of Culture’ for 2019.

“Thousands of spectators lined the streets back in 2014 when the Tour came to Liverpool.

“It’s Britain’s big cycle race, and our national tour. We expect even bigger crowds in the Wirral this year, as the sport seems to be growing exponentially.

“You only need to look through the winners of BBC Sports Personality of the Year to see its rise in popularity since Chris Hoy’s Olympic success in 2008.

“It’s great news for the local economy and the cycling industry as a whole as the large footfall presents a terrific growth opportunity.”