Team Qoroz, the under-23 cycling team run by the South West Bike Academy, has a unique partnership with Devon County Council and will continue to attend school assemblies in September to encourage pupils to take up cycling or cycle more often.

The visits have been organised by the County Council ahead of the Devon stage of The Tour of Britain on Thursday 15 September to promote the health, fitness and sustainable travel benefits of cycling. A lot of the schools will turn out on the day to support the race, and last year it is estimated that thousands of Devon schoolchildren watched the South West stages.

Devon County Council is hosting Stage Five of The Tour, covering 110 miles (180km) of the county, starting in Exeter and finishing in Exmouth.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “The Tour of Britain and the school visits by Team Qoroz are effective ways to inspire the next generation of cyclists in Devon and they can encourage children to take an interest in cycling. By hosting The Tour of Britain, one of our aims is to create a genuine cycling legacy to ensure Devon is a cycling county. In the long term we want more people to be able to choose to cycle regularly on their journey to school or work, as well as during their free-time.”

The assembly programme started in July for schools in Exeter and Exmouth, to inspire and engage pupils ready for the race on September 15th. The South West Bike Academy will now also be visiting:

Thursday 8 September:
West Exe Technology College –
8.30am-9.30am – also open to pupils from Bow Hill, Alphington, Ide, St Thomas, Montgomery, and Redhills.
ISCA College of Media Arts –
11am-12noon – for pupils from Countess Wear, St Leonard’s, Wynstream, and Newtown.
Woodbury Primary School –
1.30pm-2pm – also open to pupils from Woodbury Salterton and Lympstone.

Friday 9 September:
St James’ Secondary School, Exeter –
9.30am-10.30am – also open to pupils from St David’s, Willowbrook, Stoke Hill Infants, Stoke Hill Junior, Exwick Heights, and St Sidwells.
Silverton Primary –
11am -12noon – also open to pupils from Thorverton, and The Duchy School.
Queen Elizabeth’s Community College, Crediton –
1.15pm-3.10pm – also open to pupils from Hayward’s, Landscore, Sandford, Copplestone, and Yeoford.

Monday 12 September:
Tedburn St Mary Primary –
9.30am-10.30am – plus pupils from Cheriton Bishop.
Bow Primary –
1.30pm-2.30pm – plus pupils from North Tawton, South Tawton, and Spreyton.

Tuesday 13 September:
Moretonhampstead Primary –
9.15am-10.15am – also open to pupils from Chagford, Dunsford, and Christow.
Princetown Primary School –
11am-12noon .
Bovey Tracey Primary –
1.30pm-2.30pm – also open to pupils from Ilsington, Hennock, Chudleigh Knighton, St Catherine’s, Blackpool, and Stowford.

Devon schools have also been encouraged to take advantage of the free resources and lesson ideas on the South West Tour of Britain website. Teachers can use the interactive map of the Devon race route, view the film of last year’s event or download Tour of Britain bunting for pupils to decorate in the run up to the race. http://www.devontourofbritain.co.uk/schools/

Team Qoroz, currently has seven riders aged between 16 and 23 who all hail from the region. The riders are Ben Stockdale, Luke Dunbar, Matt Ullmer, Tom Stockdale, Scott Law, Mikey Thelwell and Jack Reed.

So far this season the team have achieved eight outright victories including the prestigious Perfs Pedal and Thames Velo road races, plus the 24hrs of Nurburgring in Germany last weekend.

Team Qoroz manager David Walters said: “Our academy was established four years ago with the aim of helping young riders from the south west to become professional cyclists. As part of their training it’s important that our riders help to enthuse other youngsters about cycling and we’re delighted to be working with Devon County Council to encourage school pupils across the county to consider cycling as a sport, a leisure activity and as a cheap and green form of transport.”

The Devon stage of The Tour of Britain on Thursday 15 September will take in three Skoda King of the Mountains climbs on Dartmoor, at Haytor, Coffin Stone, and Huccaby Tor. The race will also pass through Pathfinder Village, Tedburn St Mary, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey, Dartmeet, Postbridge, Bow, Broadclyst and West Hill, and will feature three intermediate Yodel Sprints at Cheriton Bishop, Crediton and Rockbeare.

Among the 16 world class teams competing over the eight days of The Tour are Sky Professional Cycling Team, Team HTC – Highroad, Garmin Cervelo, Leopard Trek, Endura Racing and Rapha Condor Sharp.

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 Mountains climbs at Haytor, Coffin Stone, and Huccaby Tor.

In advance of the race, Rapha Condor Sharp’s Jonathan Tiernan-Locke, from Devon, and Motorpoint Pro Cycling Team’s Somerset-based rider Marcin Biablocki will get a taste of the Dartmoor section of the Stage this Thursday (1 September). Setting off from Haytor at 10am they will be joined by a group of amateur cyclists, who will be put through their paces to see exactly what the pro riders will have to contend with a fortnight later.

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: “Dartmoor 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 Mountains 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 through the picturesque setting of Haytor, Widecombe, Ponsworthy, Dartmeet and Postbridge.

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 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 Mountains 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 through the picturesque setting of Haytor, Widecombe, Ponsworthy, Dartmeet and Postbridge.

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, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey, Bow, Broadclyst and West Hill, and it will feature three intermediate Yodel Sprints at Cheriton Bishop, Crediton and Rockbeare.

Stage Five of Britain’s premier cycle race will cover around 110 miles of the county on Thursday 15 September, as 96 of the world’s top professional cyclists compete to wear the new IG Markets Gold Jersey, which replaces the yellow jersey. This year’s route, hosted by Devon County Council, goes from Exeter to Exmouth – but taking the long way round.

Rapha Condor Sharp riders Jon Tiernan-Locke, Zak Dempster, Casey Munro and Tom Southam today (Friday 1 July) got a chance to check out the start and finish locations of the Devon Stage.

Rather than trekking the full distance of the Stage, they took the Exe Estuary Trail – something which spectators will have the opportunity to do on the day of the race if they want to see both the start and finish of the event.

The riders were joined by pupils from Topsham Primary and Bassetts Farm Primary Schools who have received Bikeability training from Devon County Council. Team Qoroz/South West Bike Academy rider Jack Reed and local authority representatives were also on hand as Devon County Council officially opened the latest section of the Exe Estuary Trail between Exton and Topsham.

On 15 September, The Tour will take in Dartmoor National Park as well as a number of other communities including Pathfinder Village, Tedburn St Mary, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey, Postbridge, Bow, Broadclyst and West Hill.

The riders will have to tackle three King of the Mountains climbs at Haytor, Coffin Stone, and Huccaby Tor, as well as three intermediate Yodel Sprints at Cheriton Bishop, Crediton and Rockbeare.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “We can’t wait for the Tour of Britain to return to Devon, particularly as this is the first time we’ll have hosted a complete stage in the county. Over the past few years we have had record crowds turning out to see the race and this prestigious event generates vital income for local businesses. We’ll be hoping that people from home and abroad come back to Devon again to see some of the world’s top cyclists in action.

“We’re honoured that some of the Rapha Condor Sharp riders joined us for the opening of the latest section of The Exe Estuary Trail. It’s already a popular route with cyclists of all ages and abilities – even before it’s complete. The Trail is one of our landmark routes as we aim to become a cycling county, and on the day of the Devon Stage of The Tour it will enable spectators to catch the race in both Exeter and Exmouth as well as enjoying a scenic ride along the Estuary.”

The Tour of Britain has generated an additional £11million in the region’s economy in the past two years. From those who responded to a 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.

Councillor Will Mumford, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Enterprise and Employment, said: “The Tour enables us to put Devon in the spotlight which has long term benefits for our economy. It’s pleasing to have had such positive feedback from visitors last year and it demonstrates the role that cycling tourism can play in attracting people to our county. All of the locations on this year’s stage will offer a fantastic backdrop for the race.”

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 16 world class 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.

Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of The Tour of Britain, said: “While this year’s Devon stage may start and finish just a few miles apart, the route itself takes in a great swathe of the county, allowing spectators from across Devon to enjoy the spectacle of this country’s national cycling tour. In 2010 Dartmoor produced some of the most memorable photographs and television pictures of the entire race, so I’m sure this year will be no different, especially on what looks to be a very tough and challenging route.

“Exeter is a city we know very well from The Halfords Tour Series, so I’m certain that we will see some of the largest crowds of The Tour of Britain there on Thursday 15 September. With Exmouth being just a short cycle ride down the Exe Estuary Trail, it makes a great opportunity for spectators to enjoy a day at The Tour, seeing both the start and finish, while enjoying this fantastic cycling route that Devon County Council has created.”

The overall winner of Tour of Britain 2010 was Swiss rider Michael Albasini of Team HTC-Columbia, who wore the Yellow Jersey throughout last year’s two South West stages shared by Devon and Somerset. The South West stages were seen by more than a million British viewers on ITV4, as well as being beamed across the world to countries including Australia, New Zealand, Italy and South Africa.

Riders from Rapha Condor Sharp, one of Britain’s top professional cycling teams, will cycle at a slightly more leisurely pace than usual as they take in the picturesque, traffic-free walking and cycling Trail, visiting the new section between Exton and Topsham.

The team, who are the newly crowned Tour Series winners, will be joined by pupils from Topsham Primary and Bassetts Farm Primary, as well as Team Qoroz/South West Bike Academy and local authority representatives, as they ride part of the Trail to the Stage Five finish location in Exmouth. Among the Rapha Condor Sharp team will be Devon rider Jon Tiernan-Locke.

Devon will host its first ever full stage of The Tour of Britain on Thursday 15 September, when 16 world class teams will race the long way round from Exeter to Exmouth; two key communities on the Exe Estuary Trail.

The race will also pass through Dartmoor National Park and other communities including Pathfinder Village, Tedburn St Mary, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey, Dartmeet, Postbridge, Bow, Crediton, Broadclyst, Rockbeare and West Hill.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “With the stage starting in Exeter and finishing in Exmouth, it’s a perfect opportunity for us to celebrate the development of the Exe Estuary Trail, and the completion of the latest section between Exton and Topsham. The Trail is a terrific asset for the county, encouraging more people to cycle and also providing an attraction for visitors, which is important for the local economy.

“Although The Tour has become a regular fixture in Devon over the past few years, this is the first time that we’ve hosted a complete stage in the county. We’ll be hoping that visitors from home and abroad return to Devon to see some of the world’s top cyclists in action.”

Rapha Condor Sharp Team Manager John Herety said: “Devon has been the setting for some of the toughest racing in The Tour of Britain over the past few years and we’re looking forward to coming back. It’ll be great to see some of the locations that we’ll be racing on come September, and it’s a privilege to be asked along for the opening of the latest part of the Exe Estuary Trail, which is a great route to help more people enjoy cycling.”

Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of The Tour of Britain, said: “While this year’s Devon stage may start and finish just a few miles apart, the route itself takes in a great swathe of the county, allowing spectators from across Devon to enjoy the spectacle of this country’s national cycling tour. In 2010, Dartmoor produced some of the most memorable photographs and television pictures of the entire race, so I’m sure this year will be no different, especially on what looks to be a very tough and challenging route.

“Exeter is a city we know very well from The Halfords Tour Series, so I’m certain that we will see some of the largest crowds of The Tour of Britain there on Thursday 15 September. With Exmouth being just a short cycle ride down the Exe Estuary Trail, it makes a great opportunity for spectators to enjoy a day at The Tour, seeing both the start and finish, while enjoying this fantastic cycling route that Devon County Council has created.”

The Tour of Britain has generated an additional £11million in the region’s economy over the past two years.

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 organisers of the Tour and Devon County Council have today (Tuesday 19 April) announced that Stage Five of this year’s event will be hosted in the county on Thursday 15 September.

The race generates millions of pounds for the local economy, bringing in an additional £11million for local businesses in the region in the past two years, and showcasing the county to a global TV audience. For the first time, this year’s entire stage will be held in Devon, rather than crossing the border into Somerset as it has over the past three years.

The Devon stage will start in Exeter and will cover more than 110 miles (180 km) of the county, including Dartmoor National Park, before finishing in Exmouth. The route will take in a number of other communities including Pathfinder Village, Tedburn St Mary, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey, Dartmeet, Postbridge, Bow, Crediton, Broadclyst, Rockbeare and West Hill.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “The Tour has been a great success over the past few years and we’re proud of the support we have received from local crowds and visitors. Cycling is continuing to grow in popularity and Team Qoroz, the South West Bike Academy, will be visiting Devon schools during the build up to The Tour to encourage children to take to two wheels.

“Devon is one of the country’s premier destinations for cycling tourism, and The Tour allows us to demonstrate what our county has to offer. Last year the event gave Devon’s towns, coast and countryside invaluable exposure. Dartmoor and the Jurassic Coast are just two of the locations included in this year’s Devon stage. The riders might not have time to take in the scenery but visitors are sure to be impressed.

“It’s fitting that this year’s stage will start in Exeter and finish in Exmouth – two communities which have been connected by the Exe Estuary Cycle Trail. This is one of the county’s flagship cycle routes and we’re pleased to be able to share that with people from across the world. We have made great strides in encouraging more people to Cycle in Exeter over the past six years and Exmouth has seen a 22% increase in cycling since becoming one of Devon’s Cycle Hub towns.”

Team HTC-Columbia’s Swiss rider Michael Albasini, who wore the Yellow Jersey throughout last year’s two South West stages, took overall victory in the 2010 Tour of Britain. The two stages shared with Somerset last year brought an additional £5million into the region over the two days and more than 225,000 turned out to see some of world’s best cyclists race from Minehead to Teignmouth and Tavistock to Glastonbury.

The South West stages were also seen by more than a million British viewers on ITV4 as well as being beamed across the world to countries including Australia, New Zealand, Italy and South Africa.

Today’s announcement was made at the Tour’s national launch in London where organisers expressed their determination to build on the success of 2010 Tour of Britain, which has been hailed the most successful ever. Among the 16 world class 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.

Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of The Tour organisers Sweetspot Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to reveal the full route for the 2011 Tour of Britain, which for the first time includes an individual time trial in central London. We are of course very pleased to be able to return to Devon for a fourth successive edition of The Tour, for what will again I’m sure be one of the best supported stages.

“This year the entire stage will be within Devon, allowing for spectators along the entire route to really embrace The Tour and to celebrate just what a fantastic venue for cycling the county is. I look forward to seeing plenty of Devonian flags lining the route come September, making for a memorable, and tough, stage of The Tour of Britain for some of the world’s top riders.”

The Grand Depart of the 2011 Tour will be from Scotland on Sunday 11th September, with the race finishing in London on Sunday 18 September.

For more information on The Tour of Britain, visit: www.tourofbritain.co.uk

All cyclists who have registered on the Cycle Devon programme are being invited to ride all or part of their commute to work on Devon Car Free Day on Wednesday 22 September.

Rides that are recorded on the Cycle Devon website on that day will be entered into a prize draw for 50 cycle computers and 50 Osprey backpacks made from recycled material. More information will feature on the Cycle Devon website www.cycledevon.info.

The Cycle Devon team will also be supporting The Tour of Britain with guided cycle rides around Tavistock on Tuesday 14 September and Wednesday 15 September. Rides will start at the end of Plymouth Road, near the Bedford Hotel, and will be mainly off-road, using National Cycle Network Route number 27.

In the coming months Cycle Devon is aiming to get hundreds more cyclists to sign up to its programme which enables individuals to record their rides and set personal goals to support new or returning cyclists, in particular, to cycle more often. Once goals are completed, cyclists will be put in the prize draw for a £400 bike and also have the opportunity to win other prizes.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Councillor for Highways and Transportation said: “It’s great to see Cycle Devon getting involved in supporting The Tour of Britain and Devon Car Free Day. The recent guided ride initiative was the first of its kind in the county and the feedback to the Cycle Devon team has been incredibly positive. We have been able to introduce many beginners and non-cyclists to the joy of two wheels this summer, and many residents have been pleased to find traffic free cycle routes right on their doorstep. This month is another great opportunity to help more people to give cycling a go, either in their leisure time or on their journey to work.”

For more information or to register visit www.cycledevon.info and click on the “Calling All New Cyclists” red button on the top right hand corner of the website. The website also enables cyclists to calculate miles travelled, calories burned and the amount of CO2 saved.

There will be plenty of opportunity to catch the action in both counties as the riders will cover around 216 miles (347kms) during the two South West stages, hosted by Devon and Somerset County Councils.

Among the 17 teams competing in The Tour are some of the world’s leading cycling outfits, such as HTC-Columbia, Garmin-Transitions Pro Cycling Team, Team Saxo-Bank, Cervelo Test Team, and Team Sky. Top riders including Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas, Andre Greipel and Heinrich Haussler, will be racing through dozens of towns and villages during Stage 4 from Minehead to Teignmouth and Stage 5 from Tavistock to Glastonbury.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “The South West stages of The Tour cover a huge amount of the region over the two days, so there’s an amazing choice of locations and places to visit if you’re interested in seeing some of the race. The start and finish locations always seem to have a real buzz about them, but there is plenty going on other parts of the routes which should generate an incredible atmosphere. Whether people choose to turn out in their local town or village, or travel to watch one of the King of the Mountains climbs or a sprint, we want to make sure the crowds enjoy the excitement and give the riders plenty of encouragement.”

Crowds can expect some of the most exciting racing to take place during the six King of the Mountains climbs and six Sprints over the two stages. These will take place at the following locations (the times are estimated):

Stage 4, Minehead to Teignmouth – Tuesday 14 September

Start – West Somerset Railway Station, Minehead 10:15am
K.O.M – Wheddon Cross 10:31 am
Sprint – Blue Anchor 11:16am
K.O.M – Ralegh’s Cross 11:28am
Feed station – Dunkeswell 12:33pm
Sprint – Honiton 12:48pm
Sprint – Sidmouth 1:06pm
K.O.M – Peak Hill, Sidmouth 1:11pm
Finish – The Promenade, Teignmouth 2:15pm

Stage 5, Tavistock to Glastonbury – Wednesday 15 September

Start – Town Hall, Bedford Square, Tavistock 10am
K.O.M – Merrivale, Dartmoor 10:23am
Sprint – Cheriton Bishop 11:22am
K.O.M – Whitstone Hill, Tedburn St Mary 11:29am
Sprint – Cullompton 12:10pm
Feed station – Willand 12:13pm
K.O.M – Coombe Hill, Hemyock 12:35pm
Sprint – Langport 1:37pm
Finish – Magdalene Street, Glastonbury 2:06pm

Transport and travel
Teignmouth –
The main bus stop south of the A379 on Wellington Street/ Esplanade is within the race route. Buses will be in use for passengers until around midday on the Tuesday 14 September. After 12.00 and until 15.30 the bus stops on the race route will no longer be open as the barriers are closed for the arrival of the race. Please check with bus operators Stagecoach and Country Bus for details of local services.
Teignmouth train station is just a short walk from all of the action. With regular trains from Exeter and Plymouth it is one of the easiest ways to watch the Tour of Britain in Teignmouth.
Free overnight parking for motorhomes is being offered at Teignmouth to coincide with the Tour of Britain and the Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride. Teignbridge District Council is allowing campers to stay at the Broadmeadow sports field for two nights between 4 and 6 September, and for another two nights between 13 and 16 September for the finish of Stage Four at Teignmouth on Tuesday 14 September.
A secure bicycle park will also be provided on the multiple use games area at the lighthouse end of The Den.
Access to car parks in Eastcliffe, Brook Street, Brunswick Street, Lower Brook Street, Teign Street and Quay Road will be restricted between 1pm and 3:30pm due to the temporary traffic arrangements and road closures. There are also overflow car parking locations at Poly Steps and The Ness, Shaldon. An area in Teign Street car park will be designated for use by blue badge holders only. The Point Car Park will not be available to the public.

Sidmouth -
In Sidmouth, the cricket field will be made available for parking all day on Tuesday 14 September.

Tavistock -
Spectators are encouraged to get to Tavistock before 8.30am on Wednesday 15 September ahead of the 10am start, and they are asked to use public transport, cycle or walk where possible.
A Park and Ride service will be provided for spectators from Tavistock Football Club from 7am to 12noon. Regular bus services in the area will continue to run, but delays and diversions are to be expected, and the bus station will be open as usual. For more details on bus times, check with local bus operators or visit www.traveline.org.uk.
For cyclists, a free secure bicycle park will be provided next to the Spar. Spectators are advised that Bedford car park on Plymouth Road will be used by The Tour of Britain vehicles on the morning and only limited spaces will be available for members of the public.

Road closures
There will be fixed road closures in place in the start and finish locations and rolling road closures along the route of the race enforced by police and civilian motorcycles. The rolling road closures will only be in effect for a limited period to allow the race and race vehicles to travel through towns and villages safely and to allow residents, businesses and visitors ample opportunity to see the event safely. Where possible, vehicle diversions will be put in place.

Teignmouth -
On Tuesday 14 September, the race will enter Teignmouth on the A379 from Dawlish and will then route via New Road, Exeter Road, A379 past the rail station, Hollands Road, Esplanade and Courtenay Place to finish on the Upper Den Carriageway.
Parking will be suspended on some roads in the town centre and a temporary one-way system will be introduced on Den Crescent.
Vehicular access to and from Courtenay Place will NOT be possible between 6am and 3pm. Access to Powderham Terrace and The Strand will be controlled by a Police Officer and/or Marshall and will be restricted for residents and necessary persons (such as carers) only.
Powderham Terrace will be reduced to one lane with the closed lane being used by The Tour of Britain vehicles.
Barriers will be erected early in the morning on the last kilometre of the race route. Gaps will be left at the key junctions and pedestrian access points to allow the town to operate much as normal until the race route has to be closed to all traffic approximately an hour to 90minutes before the race is expected to arrive at around 2.30pm.

Tavistock -
Parking will be suspended on many of the roads in the town centre on Wednesday 15 September and the one-way system on West Street will be reversed.
Traffic disruption is likely as the race begins at about 10am when the riders parade off from Plymouth Road, moving into Brook Street and Duke Street before making their way across Vigo Bridge onto the A386 towards Princetown. Some disruption is also likely to occur throughout the afternoon/evening of Tuesday 14 September during the Town’s Tavy Tour Party event.

The Tour of Britain 2010 begins in Rochdale on Saturday 11 September and finishes in London on Saturday 18 September.

The Tour of Britain will race its way through the two counties on Tuesday 14 September and Wednesday 15 September, with Devon and Somerset County Councils continuing their successful partnership to host the two South West stages.

This year’s Tour will cover around 216 miles (347kms) of Devon and Somerset, with Stage 4 from Minehead to Teignmouth and Stage 5 from Tavistock to Glastonbury.

The feel good factor generated by The Tour comes at a vital time for local businesses – and the communities of Teignmouth and Tavistock are aiming to ensure that there is plenty for visitors to see and do while they are in the region.

Teignmouth is hosting events throughout next week, culminating with entertainment on the Den, seafront and in the town from 11am to 9pm on Tuesday 14 September when the town hosts the finish of Stage Four. Crowds will be treated to displays by Devon County Council’s cycling ambassador and world number six mountain bike trials rider Andrei Burton, as well as BMX riders Lee Musselwhite and Kye Forte. There will also be live music throughout the day, and everything from Tae Kwon Do to children’s fairground rides. Teignmouth’s latest up and coming band The Quails will be among the bands performing in the Marquee on the Den from 4pm to 9pm.

In Tavistock the celebrations start the day before the Tour even arrives in the town, with the Tavy Tour Party in the Square on Tuesday 14 September. A local food fair will be held in the Town Hall from 10am to 7pm and the party starts from 4pm with a free concert in Bedford Square, headlined by Seth Lakeman and Mad Dog McRea. There will also be entertainment including the Team Extreme display of BMX, skateboarding and in-line skating in Abbey Place, and food stalls and amusement attractions in Plymouth Road and St Eustachius. Only a limited number of tickets are available for the free concert. To register and download free tickets visit www.tavytourparty.co.uk.

On the morning of the race on Wednesday 15 September, Andrei Burton will be displaying his mountain bike trials skills from 8am. Ahead of the start of Stage Five there will be a procession through the town centre celebrating the occasion and the town as the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake, with local schoolchildren taking part on vintage bikes. Cycle Devon will also be offering guided rides around the town.

Honiton is hosting its Sport4Honiton festival of sport over the weekend of 11 and 12 September. On Saturday 11 September Andrei Burton will be performing his breathtaking mountain bike trials display outside the Leisure Centre, and the town’s running and cycling clubs will be holding fun runs and a variety of cycling events over the two days. On Sunday 12 September, the Leisure Centre will also host a Swim4Free event. Street entertainers Boogie Base Bugs will be in Honiton town centre on Tuesday 14 September as The Tour sprints through the town and selected traders are offering discounts with vouchers on a special leaflet being distributed in the town. For more information visit: www.sport4honiton.org.

In Sidmouth on Tuesday 14 September, the town’s Lifeboat and launch vehicle will be displayed at the western end of the Esplanade from 10am onwards, before it springs into action for a joint display with the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter at 12noon, ahead of the arrival of the race which faces another Sprint followed by the King of the Mountains climb at Peak Hill.

On Wednesday 15 September, Cullompton will be holding celebrations based on the theme of cycling and the town’s history. The 16th century Manor House, The Walronds, will host an exhibition of cycling and historic bicycles, some of which are on loan from Tiverton Museum. There will also be cycle security marking, free bike checks and a shop window display competition. The Town will present its own special award to the winner of the Sprint through Cullompton, at the finish of the Stage in Glastonbury.

Councillor William Mumford, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Strategic Planning, said: “I’m delighted to see so many events have been organised by local communities to make the most of The Tour. The race generates millions of pounds for our local economy, and combined with these events I’m sure it will prove a massive draw and will really add to the occasion.

“Tavistock and Teignmouth are hosting start and finishes of the South West Stages but for all communities along the route this is a great opportunity, not just to enjoy a great sporting spectacle, but to be part of it and showcase their town and villages to a worldwide audience.”

Councillor David Hall, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “Hosting the two stages of the Tour of Britain has a very positive impact on tourism and local businesses in our county. In 2009 we estimated that 250,000 people watched the race, with around a £6 million boost to the economy. Even in these difficult financial times, we anticipate that we can achieve the same or even better results in 2010.”

The £6 million generated for the local economy last year was the result of Devon and Somerset County Councils jointly hosting two stages for the first time. Record crowds were attracted, with nearly a quarter of a million people lining the routes from Frome to Bideford and Hatherleigh to Yeovil.

Devon’s smallest town Hatherleigh was among the communities which benefited last year when it hosted the penultimate stage. Hatherleigh Pottery presented specially made Tour of Britain plates to the leading riders and dignitaries before the start of the stage in the town, and its limited edition commemorative mugs sold out within hours.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “We’re investing in making Devon a premier destination for cycle tourism and The Tour of Britain gives us the opportunity to let everybody know exactly what we have to offer. It’s encouraging to see our local communities getting on board to make this a true celebration of cycling. We’re fortunate to have many, picturesque market and coastal towns and we want to help people to get out there and enjoy it, whether it’s by cycling or turning out to watch the Tour.”