Town saddling up for events to welcome elite cyclists

Fife is gearing up to welcome the inaugural Women’s Tour of Scotland to the kingdom.

It is a boost for the area, which is trying to introduce young women in particular to the sport.

The first stage will begin tomorrow at Dundee’s Slessor Gardens before heading to Fife over the Tay Road Bridge.

The route will take in Cupar, Falkland and Leslie before crossing into the Kinross area and then back into west Fife, where the race will finish at Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline.

Fife Council’s Active Fife team is putting on a range of free activities in the park for cycling enthusiasts of all ages and abilities from noon to 5pm.

Community and housing services convener Judy Hamilton (Labour) said: “We’re encouraging as many people as possible to come along, get involved in the action and cheer on the female cyclists as they enter the park for their last stretch of their 103km race that day.

“We’re doing some really great and innovative work here in Fife that’s been successful in converting young girls who don’t do much physical activity into confident, able and enthusiastic cyclists.

“Coupled with a very active local cycling community and volunteer network, it makes for this to be a fantastic celebratory event to add to the calendar.”

A council fund has contributed £10,000 towards the tour, and Mrs Hamilton said it was a great opportunity to showcase Fife.

Assistant race director Jimmy McCallam added: “It’s fantastic that Fife are getting behind the event, and I think it’s something local people can be really excited about.”