onionbagblog

Published as part of the Keep Colchester Cycling project.

Who needs the Tour of Britain when you have the Halfords Tour Series rolling out from the Oldest Recorded?

Magnificent though the Tour of GB was when a stage climaxed in Castle Park last summer, it now seems that Colchester will have to be content with being a stage on the growing Halfords Tour Series on 2nd June.

This is still wonderful news for the promotion of cycling within the town. The Halfords Tour Series is growing in popularity, as well as sponsorship and prestige TV coverage.

Essentially the event takes the form of a criteriun ride. This means that a town centre is set aside for a mid-summer challenging route. A number of circuits are raced, with a sprint finish ending the evening.

Colchester last staged the Tour Series two years ago. The circuit took in Head Street, St John’s Street, Osborne Street, St Botolph’s Street, and Queen Street.

The Tour Series is seen as a happy hunting ground for many young riders making their way up within the established teams. It is an opportunity to prove your worth, with a view to gaining an all-important ride in the three classic Tours.

A successful staging of the Tour Series this summer should lead to the Tour of Britain returning to these parts in 2012.

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