PLEA FOR HELP AS TOP CYCLE RACE ROLLS INTO TOWN
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AS NUNEATON HOSTS LEG OF BRITAIN’S BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL TOUR
VOLUNTEERS are needed to gear up for one of the biggest dates in Nuneaton’s recent history - when it hosts a leg of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race.
Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action, known as WCAVA, and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council need safety stewards and town ambassadors for when Nuneaton plays home to the start of the fourth leg of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain on Wednesday, September 5.
“We need safety stewards, who are able to remain calm and alert in a busy setting to help ensure the safety of spectators during the race,” said Rowena Musgrave, volunteer co-ordinator.
“We are also recruiting volunteers with a local knowledge of Nuneaton town centre to act as Town Ambassadors. Town Ambassadors will direct attendees to the race route, help with enquires, whilst showcasing what Nuneaton has to offer.”
Those who want to volunteer as a town ambassador or safety steward need to be available on Friday, August 31, for customer service training and a briefing, as well as on the race day itself.
With just over one month to go, the town is preparing to welcome visitors from across the globe and it is a huge opportunity to put the town centre on the map says Councillor Izzi Seccombe, leader of Warwickshire County Council .
“The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is the UK’s most prestigious cycle race and we’re thrilled to be hosting a stage in Warwickshire for the very first time, having enjoyed great success with the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, building on it year after year,” she said.
“As well as being an incredible occasion for the people of Nuneaton - that their town is the starting point for such a significant event - it is also a fantastic opportunity to show the town off to an international audience.
“Nuneaton’s profile is key to our ambitious plans for transforming its town centre. This event will be a wonderful way of kickstarting that before the eyes of the world.”
The crowds could be treated to seeing some of the world’s most famed cyclists as cycling stars Alexander Kristoff and Michal Kwiatkowski, British heroes Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas and rising stars like Chris Lawless and Harry Tanfield, have all competed past OVO Energy Tour of Britain.
Competitors will set off from Nuneaton at 11am and head towards Atherstone before taking in the North Warwickshire countryside and then arrive in Meriden.
It will then head to the University of Warwick, before passing Kenilworth and Warwick castles. Heading south into Stratford upon Avon, competitors will also have to take on three SKODA King of the Mountain climbs again an ascent of more than 1,700 metres.
The first of those will be at Ilmington, before the second at Edge Hill, just on the outskirts of Arlescote while the third comes in Burton Dassett Country Park.
The race will then go through Moreton Morrell, Wellesbourne, Kineton, Tysoe and Shipstonon-Stour, Fenny Compton and Southam, and then towards princethorpe in Rugby before finishing in the centre of Royal Leamington Spa.
It dates back to 1945, although there have been some gaps in its history. It has been known as the Milk Race, Kellogg’s Tour of Britain and the Pru Tour. The existing set-up arrived in 2004 and the race is currently organised by the Sweet Spot Group.
The Tour of Britain, which moves around the country, is held between September 2 to 9.
British independent energy supplier OVO Energy was unveiled as the race’s title sponsor in 2017, and it continues into this year.
The race is organised by the Sweet Spot Group, who also organise the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, which has a leg start in nearby Atherstone.
The top prize at the Tour of Britain is the green jersey, this goes to the leader of the General Classification.
Those who want to volunteer on the day should call Rowena at WCAVA for an application form on 024 76385 765 or can email Rowena@wcava.org.uk.