RESIDENTS and businesses are being urged to get involved in the build-up to next year’s Tour de Yorkshire.
Middlesbrough was this month unveiled as the start town for Stage 3 on Sunday, May 1, which will see the world class field roll out through the town before tackling a challenging and hilly 198km route to Scarborough.
A series of business and community roadshows run by Welcome to Yorkshire and local authorities will share information on how to get involved, build excitement and maximise the benefits of race day media coverage.
The roadshows, being held across the county, will also focus on using the race to generate business over the whole year.
The first Middlesbrough event will take place in the Town Hall on Tuesday, January 19 with further events to be announced in due course.
Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “This is the third year we’ve gone out to local communities to share information about how the race works and to discuss how businesses and communities can make it a spectacular weekend.
“The feedback from the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire was extremely positive and I’d encourage everyone on the route, particularly those in areas the race hasn’t visited before, to come along and find out how to make it your Tour.”
Welcome to Yorkshire is also working in partnership with regional police forces to look for a passionate and reliable team of volunteers.
Being a Tour Maker offers a fantastic opportunity to be part of the race and be the welcoming face of Yorkshire for spectators.
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “To host such a prestigious event is a major coup for Middlesbrough, and a great deal of work is already going on to ensure we make the most of this fantastic opportunity.
“There really is something in it for everyone, from serious cycling aficionados to those wanting to share this town’s great heritage and historical links with Captain James Cook with a worldwide audience.
“Tour Makers will be at the heart of the action, both in the build-up and on the day itself, and I’m sure there will be army of willing volunteers coming forward to ensure it’s an event that will live long in the memory.
“The Roadshows are also a great opportunity for businesses, organisations and the community to find out how they can get involved in the run-up to the Tour de Yorkshire and how to make the most of the legacy it will undoubtedly leave behind.”
Anyone interested in becoming a Tour Maker for the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire should complete a short online survey.
Volunteers will need to attend a police led training session and be available on race weekend (Friday, April 29, Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1).
The 2016 Tour de Yorkshire marks the third return for Tour Makers, following the Tour de France in 2014 and the Tour de Yorkshire in 2015.
- Information about the Tour de Yorkshire roadshows can be found here: http://letour.yorkshire.com/news/2016-roadshows
- The Tour Maker survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TourMakers2016