5 September 2011

Dartmoor will provide a crucial backdrop to Tour of Britain

Devon County Council will host its first ever full stage of The Tour of Britain on Thursday 15 September, starting in Exeter and covering 110 miles (180 km) of the county before finishing in Exmouth. Dartmoor features heavily in the stage and could prove to be a deciding factor in this year's Tour as the 96 world class riders will have to tackle three Skoda King of the Mountain climbs at Haytor, Coffin Stone, and Huccaby Tor.

Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of The Tour of Britain, said: "Dartmoor was a fantastic addition to last year's Tour, and it looked spectacular on the television coverage, so we were keen for it to feature again. With three King of the Mountain climbs on Dartmoor, we're certainly expecting it to be a memorable return for The Tour and the Devon stage looks as though it will be as tough as ever."

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation said: "The National Park is wonderful cycling terrain, so it's the perfect setting for Britain's premier cycle race and a real test for the riders. We want people to turn out and support the Devon stage, and I hope they can be inspired by seeing some of the world's top teams who have just been competing in the Tour de France. I'm certain the King of the Mountain climbs on the moor will make for some of the best racing of the entire Tour and will attract plenty of spectators."

Councillor Will Mumford, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Enterprise and Employment, said: "We're fortunate to have some stunning landscapes across our county, and Dartmoor is among the most beautiful. The Tour brings people into the county as well as attracting a worldwide audience on TV, so it's an opportunity for communities to showcase what Devon has to offer and to be part of this great sporting occasion."

The riders will spend around an hour and a half of the Devon stage on Dartmoor, passing Haytor and riding through Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Ponsworthy, Dartmeet, Postbridge and Moretonhampstead.

Bill Hitchins, Chairman, Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: "Dartmoor National Park is the largest area of open country in southern England. Its central location in the county of Devon makes it a popular place for recreation for Devon residents as well as a holiday destination for millions from further afield. This year Dartmoor celebrates its 60th anniversary and it's fitting that we can mark it by welcoming the Tour of Britain and all of the spectators who turn out to support the cyclists. Cycling is a very popular activity with opportunities on National Cycle Routes, off road cycling and touring on quiet moorland roads. Cycling on Dartmoor can be as relaxing or as challenging as you wish to make it, and it's perfect for the Devon stage of The Tour."

Stage Five in Devon will also take in Pathfinder Village, Tedburn St Mary, Bovey Tracey, Bow, Broadclyst and West Hill, and it will feature three intermediate Yodel Sprints at Cheriton Bishop, Crediton and Rockbeare.

An additional £11million has been generated in the region's economy by the Tour of Britain over the past two years. From those who responded to a Devon County Council survey at last year's event, 95% said they considered Devon to be a premier destination for an active holiday and 88% said that they would return to Devon as a result of their visit during The Tour.

The Grand Depart of the 2011 Tour will be from Scotland on Sunday 11 September, with the race finishing in London on Sunday 18 September. Among the teams lined up to compete over the eight days are Sky Professional Cycling Team, Team HTC - Highroad, Garmin Cervelo, Leopard Trek, Endura Racing and Rapha Condor Sharp.

The South West stages of last year's Tour of Britain were seen by more than a million British viewers on ITV4, as well as being broadcast across the world to countries including Australia, New Zealand, Italy and South Africa.
Daily highlights of The Tour of Britain will again be screened every evening on ITV4 from Sunday 11 to Sunday 18 September.

For more information on the Tour of Britain, visit: www.southwesttourofbritain.co.uk and www.tourofbritain.co.uk. For information about Dartmoor National Park visit www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk

Ends

For more information from Devon County Council

Adrian Lane, Devon County Council Media & PR Office
Tel: 01392 383262

For more information from the Tour of Britain

Peter Hodges, PR Manager for the Tour of Britain
Tel: 0870 112 8650

For more information from Dartmoor National Park Authority

Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: 01626 831045

Notes for Editors

Stage Five Devon		Estimated Time
Start	Exeter Cathedral Yard	10:15
12.1km	Yodel Sprint, Cheriton Bishop	10:43
31.0km	Moretonhampstead	11:11
40.8km	Bovey Tracey	11:26
48.1km	KoM (Cat. 1), Haytor Rocks	11:37
57.8km	KoM (Cat. 2), Coffin Stone	11:51
59.6km	KoM (Cat. 2), Huccaby Tor	11:54
74.2km	Postbridge	12:16
87.5km	Moretonhampstead	12:36
118.6km	Copplestone	13:22
125.0km	Yodel Sprint, Crediton	13:32
148.4km	Broadclyst	14:07
154.6km	Yodel Sprint, Rockbeare	14:16
Finish / 180.3km	Exmouth, The Esplanade	14:55

The 16 competing teams are:
 - AN Post Sean Kelly Cycling Team (Ireland)
- Endura Racing (Britain)
- Garmin Cervelo (USA)
- Leopard Trek (Luxembourg)
- Motorpoint (Britain)
- Rabobank (Netherlands)
- Rapha Condor Sharp (Britain)
- Sigma Sport - Specialized (Britain)
- Sky Professional Cycling Team (Britain)
- Team Europcar (France)
- Team HTC - Highroad (USA)
- Team NetApp (German)
- Team Raleigh (Britain)
- Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator (Belgium)
- United Healthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA)
- Vacansoleil DCM (Netherlands)

Dartmoor National Park Authority’s purposes under the Environment Act 1995 are:

•    to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park;

•    to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area  by the public.

In carrying out this work, we are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.

Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site.You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. Subscribe to Dartmoor National park Authority News.

For News Releases from all UK National Parks visit www.nationalparks.gov.uk (external website, opens new window)

For maps, guide books, trail guides, clothing and other Dartmoor merchandise visit Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Online Shop

There are 15 members of the National Parks family in the UK: Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, South Downs, Yorkshire Dales, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, the Cairngorms and the Broads.  National Parks are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment.  However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers.  Over 34,500 people live in Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.