OVO Energy Tour of Britain 2017 Pre Race Press Conference

by | Sep 3, 2017

With 120 riders confirmed for this years eight stage race. The OVO Energy Tour of Britain gets underway in Edinburgh, Scotland tomorrow morning at 1030am before meandering down the East-Side of the country and concluding in Cardiff, Wales on Sunday 10th September.

Beamed Live on ITV4 television for the first time with an estimated audience of eight-million, the highlights package later in the evening will be broadcast to a 125 countries.

Mark Cavendish, Dimension Data, Dan Martin of Quickstep Floors and Geraint Thomas of Team Sky are all still recovering from injuries and realistic about their race prospects.

To have Tyler, Dan, Mark, Geraint, Alex and Caleb here at the Press Conference for me is thrilling. I don’t think we have had such a stellar line up. We have three former World Champions, Six Olympians, Twenty-four stage winner from Grand Tours and countless World, European and National Champions and I’m absolutely delighted.

Mick Bennett

Race Director, Tour of Britain

I have to be realistic, I’m not a machine. I’m not looking for any results here. Team Dimension Data can get results here.

I’m a long-time supporter of the Tour of Britain and as a massive fan of the British fans, the support we have here – to see it grow over the last – more than a decade doing this, is phenomenal.

I had to miss RideLondon because of my injuries. To get here and race at home is  always’s something special. So I wanted to at least try, come out, experience and absorb the atmosphere that’s around the Tour of Britain nowerdays.

Mark Cavendish

Rider, Team Dimension Data

I’ve been back on the bike a couple of weeks now. Just looking forward to the race now – Cav was saying – the crowds and stuff are just unbelievable these days, to see how far it’s come.

The first time I did it was with Cav back in 2005, so yeh, it’s a bit different today.

We’ve got Viviani (Elia) for the Sprints – there’s a lot of Sprinters here, so yeh, It should be exciting.

Geraint Thomas

Rider, Team Sky

I feel fine, I feel good. I had to lay off after the Tour. I’ve only been back on the bike two-and-half to three weeks now, getting going again.

I’ve got a really strong Team here. I don’t know where I’ll be as far as ambitions. The course is really flat this year. As far as the Teams ambitions go, we can be optimistic, aim high and I’ll be part of that.

Dan Martin

Rider, Quickstep Floors

There are a lot of Sprinters and Time Trialists here at the Tour of Britain.

The Time Trial on stage 5 is definitely an objective for both myself an Ryan Mullen who’s been targeting this race for a while. For me presonnally, it’s one of my favourite races on the calendar, so I always look forward to coming to the Tour of Britain.

Taylor Phinney

Rider, Cannondale- Drapac

I think my form is all right. It’s been a long season up and till now. I started early in Australia. I’ve had a good break and a really good year, hopefully my form has come on well for this race.

Caleb Ewan

Winner in London 2016, Orica-Scott

The Time Trial roads you must know quite well? “ Yeh, it’s close to home. I’ll have lots of friends and family out, which will be good. I went and looked at the course the other week. It’s nice, a good one for me.

Alex Dowsett

Rider, Movistar Team

OVO Tour of Britain 2017 Pre Race Press Conference by Cycling Shorts

OVO Tour of Britain 2017 Pre Race Press Conference with Race Director Mick Bennett and riders; Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas, Dan Martin, Alex Dowsett, Taylor Phinney & Caleb Ewan. All images & content ©www.cyclingshorts.cc & www.chrismaher.co.uk

 

Chris Maher

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Based in the North East of England; photographer Chris Maher specialises in sports photography with his main interests in Cycling and Super Bikes. Chris has covered sports events from local and national level right up to the Olympics for CyclingShorts.cc.
Website: www.ChrisMaher.co.uk

Anna Magrath

Anna Magrath

Editor & Writer

Anna Magrath founded CyclingShorts.cc in 2008 and invited some of her cycling friends; coaches, photographers, writers and pro cyclists of different disciplines to join her, bringing you all things cycling related.

Over the years Anna has supported grass roots cycling events, riders and teams. Anna has a particular interest in Track, Road, womens cycling, recreational cycling and cycling related art. She has reported from the top cycle races on the world calendar including the Tour de France, Olympics, World Cups & World Championships.

Want to get involved? Why not get in touch.

CyclingShorts.cc are official sponsors of The Racing Chance Foundation, Team22 WRT, Team Jadan and cyclists Amy Gornall & Fraser Martin.

Tour de France: More Than Just a Race

by | Aug 31, 2017

The Tour de France is not just a bike race, it is a major cultural event that grips its audience the world over. Broadcast in 190 countries across the globe, it provides nail-biting viewing and the chance to witness supreme endurance athletes showcasing their extreme physical and mental strength.

This year’s course was 3,540 kilometres across Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and France: starting in Dusseldorf and ended in Paris, but having squeezed in a stage in the Pyrenees and sandwiched between two Alpine stages – all bookended by time trials. This race was not for the faint hearted.

The Tour de France is the world’s largest spectator sport event with expectations of 12 million spectators supporting riders along the route, even in the most remote of locations, the die-hard fans can be seen. With the now legendary caravan of advertisers heading the race throwing gifts, the spectators are almost as central to the race as the riders.

 

It’s a huge event, and to celebrate this annual carnival of extreme endurance, The Watch Gallery collated an infographic to showcase the evolution of the Tour: the record breaking 8 second margin between Greg LeMond and Laurent Fignon in 1989, to the 60kms of cables that are used to enable the broadcast of the race across the globe.

Whether you are a cyclist yourself, or an armchair warrior, the Tour de France has something to draw you in: the brutal gradients of the mountains, the speed of the flats, or even the numerous crashes that make you gasp. All of the riders have high levels of physical and mental prowess, but the only thing that delineates these hardcore athletes is the second hand on a watch – time is not on their side.

This is a paid advertorial for The Watch Gallery & Active.com

Where to catch OVO Energy Tour of Britain in Scotland

by | Aug 25, 2017

On Sunday 3 September, the streets of Scotland will be abuzz as 20 of the world’s top professional cycling teams take to the roads for the opening stage of the 2017 OVO Energy Tour of Britain, from Edinburgh to Kelso.

Among the top names already confirmed for the race are Team Sky duo Geraint Thomas and Michal Kwiatkowski, recently crowned European Champion Alexander Kristoff from Norway, World Time Trial Champion Tony Martin and multiple British Champion Alex Dowsett.

With just one week to go until the start of the 188-kilometre stage of Britain’s national Tour, we’ve compiled a list of the best vantage points to catch the world’s top riders in action in Scotland.

Stage One starts from outside St Giles Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile at 10:30, with spectators advised to arrive for 9:00 as teams begin to arrive and sign-on, with each of the 20 world-class teams being presented to the crowd on the podium.

In addition to promo stands from Tour partners OVO Energy, Oakley and Dare2b all of the team vehicles will be parked on High Street and Cockburn Street ahead of the Grand Depart.

With Stage One using the same loop of roads in the city as the HSBC UK City Ride afterwards, the Meadows will be another great location to watch and see the action twice, especially if you’re riding in the freeride event afterwards.

Spectators are in for an amazing opening stage to this year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain as they are treated to world-class racing set against the backdrop of some of Scotland’s most iconic and spectacular locations and countryside.

EventScotland is proud to be a long-term partner of the Tour of Britain and help bring the race back to Scotland each year to showcase what’s on offer to an international audience of cycling enthusiast. With more than 2000 miles of the National Cycle Network covering the country, Scotland truly is the perfect stage for cycling events.

Paul Bush OBE

Director of Events, VisitScotland

A further spectacular location, sure to feature prominently in the live television coverage on ITV4 is Duddington Low Road through Holyrood Park, with the famous backdrop of Arthur’s Seat.

The East Lothian towns and villages of Musselburgh, Cockenzie and Port Seton, Longniddry, Haddington and Pencaitland all lie on the opening kilometres of the route, while Gifford hosts the first intermediate Eisberg Sprint of the 2017 race at around 11:50, sponsored by leading alcohol free wine brand Eisberg, where riders will battle for points towards the Eisberg Sprints Jersey.

Shortly after riders tackle the first SKODA King of the Mountains climb of the race at Redstone Rigg in the Lammermuir Hills, with the race expected to reach the summit at around midday.

Fans in the Scottish Borders are spoilt for choice on where to watch, with the Tour racing through Duns (approximately 12:30) and Coldstream, where there will be another Eisberg Sprint (approximately 13:00) before passing through the centre of Kelso twice, at around 13:30 and again for the finish at approximately 15:20.

As well as a big screen showing the whole race live, Kelso will host the official promo zone with stands from Tour partners and a static bike challenge.

With the race taking in a 79-kilometre loop of the Scottish Borders, there is also the chance for fans to watch at one of the SKODA King of the Mountains climbs in the beautiful locations of Scott’s View (approximately 14:30) or above Melrose near the Eildon Hills (approximately 14:45). The latter comes just after the final Eisberg Sprint in Melrose High Street.

From the world famous city centre of Edinburgh, via the coast and moors of East Lothian to the beautiful views and towns of the Scottish Borders, Stage One has a bit of everything.

“With our partners we have planned a very spectator friendly route and look forward to cycling fans from across Scotland and the North of England turning out to cheer on and support the amazing field of riders we will have.

Mick Bennett

Race Director, OVO Energy Tour of Britain

For full details of Stage One, including timings, an interactive stage map and a downloadable stage map and profile please click here.

The HSBC UK City Ride takes place in Edinburgh on Sunday 3 September between 11:00 and 15:00 on a traffic free, 4.5-kilometre circuit at the heart of Edinburgh, based around the Meadows.  For more information and to register for your free place, please click here.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step, taking place between Sunday 3 and Sunday 10 September 2017.

Stage One Sunday 3 September Edinburgh to Kelso 190km
Stage Two Monday 4 September Kielder Water & Forest Park to Blyth 211km
Stage Three Tuesday 5 September Normanby Hall Country Park to Scunthorpe 178km
Stage Four Wednesday 6 September Mansfield to Newark-on-Trent 165km
Stage Five Thursday 7 September The Tendring Stage Individual Time Trial 16km
Stage Six Friday 8 September Newmarket to Aldeburgh 187km
Stage Seven Saturday 9 September Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham 185km
Stage Eight Sunday 10 September Worcester to Cardiff 180km

Interview – Lizzy Banks at Ryedale GP 2017 – National Series Winner

by | Aug 11, 2017

Lizzy Banks of Storey Racing chats to Chris Maher of CyclingShorts.cc after taking the National Series Title.

Interview – Lizzy Banks at Ryedale GP 2017 – National Series Winner by Cycling Shorts

Lizzy Banks of Storey Racing chats to Chris Maher of CyclingShorts.cc after taking the National Series Title. All content ©www.cyclingshorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

 

Image ©CyclingShorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

Chris Maher

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Based in the North East of England; photographer Chris Maher specialises in sports photography with his main interests in Cycling and Super Bikes. Chris has covered sports events from local and national level right up to the Olympics for CyclingShorts.cc.
Website: www.ChrisMaher.co.uk

Interview – Laura Massey Ryedale GP 2017 Winner

by | Aug 11, 2017

Laura Massey of Drops Cycling chats to Chris Maher of CyclingShorts.cc after her win at the 2017 Ryedale Grand Prix.

Interview – Laura Massey Rydale GP 2017 Winner by Cycling Shorts

Laura Massey of Drops Cycling chats to Chris Maher of CyclingShorts.cc after her win at the 2017 Ryedale Grand Prix.

Image ©CyclingShorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

Chris Maher

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Based in the North East of England; photographer Chris Maher specialises in sports photography with his main interests in Cycling and Super Bikes. Chris has covered sports events from local and national level right up to the Olympics for CyclingShorts.cc.
Website: www.ChrisMaher.co.uk

Vente Privée Membership Invitation

by | Jun 18, 2017

VENTE-PRIVEE.COM is the creator of private online sales website, it was started in France and has now spread around the world, it is now a major player in the e-commerce sector.

It’s an invitation only Members site, without an invite you cannot buy or receive notification of products, members enjoy privileged access to an exciting range of limited-time-only sales. They work closely with over 3000 premium brands across the globe and these special relationships mean they can offer heart-fluttering prices. But hurry, once the sale doors close, the products disappear… Some of the sporting brands they work with include: Santini, Oakley, Castelli, ASSOS, Kask, dhb, Adidas, Puma, GoPro, Garmin, UnoTec to name a few. They also have premium designer clothing, shoes, jewellery and household & furniture brands.

This is your official invite to join!

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