Tour of Britain can put Warwickshire on the cycling map
A TELEVISION presenter believes Warwickshire could become a cycling county after hosting the UK’s most prestigious biking event.
Journalist, Rebecca Charlton, will be part of the ITV4 team that will bring the OVO Energy Tour of Britain live to over 100 countries, and she believes it can propel Warwickshire to the forefront of UK cycling.
Some of the world’s best riders will gather in Nuneaton’s town centre for the 11am start on Wednesday, 5th September, as well as thousands of spectators lining the streets.
The presenter is now predicting big things in store for the county, which is Stage 4 in the road race.
“I really think the tour can help establish Warwickshire as a cycling county. We’re starting to see more schoolchildren coming out and watching races like the OVO Energy Tour of Britain,” she said.
“For locals to see the riders take on such beautiful roads, taking in the countryside and the places where they live can only inspire them to get out and do the same.
“There shouldn’t be any barriers for people who are thinking about getting involved. Don’t ever think you’re the wrong shape or size, or that it’s too late to start.
“The Warwickshire stage is one for the spectators. There will be opportunity to see the start and then make your way to a different point to see the riders coming back. And the roads and countryside in the region are absolutely beautiful.
“If they can get to one of the three categorised climbs, the race will be going relatively slower and that gives fans a real chance to see the stars.
“The atmosphere in Nuneaton in the morning is going to be second to none. I strongly advise people to get there for the start if they can while the finish is bound to be really exciting.”
Rebecca was also in Shakespeare’s county when the ever-popular OVO Energy Women’s Tour passed through in June.
“The OVO Energy Women’s Tour was just incredible,” she added. “I was racing from a very young age, and as a young girl, I rarely raced with another girl. It was a very male dominated sport.
“To be reporting on a race with the best female riders in the world was very special, and the parity in prize money between that and the men’s race is a huge leap forward for the sport in my eyes.”
With the final line-ups being announced, Rebecca made her predictions as to how Stage 4 might unfold: “At the women’s event this year we saw a gallop to the finish line until a few broke away, with Mitchelton Scott’s Sarah Roy taking a stunning stage victory” she said.
“It was such a quick finish. That for me has built up anticipation for some thrilling potential sprints.
“There will be some interesting climbs for spectators, but riders should come back together for a sprint finish. Fernando Gaviria, Caleb Ewan and Andre Greipal are the ones to watch for this stage.”
Anticipation for the tour has been building for months, and with the first leg kicking off on Sunday, September 2, the lifelong cycling fanatic has been talking about her delight to be in the thick of the action as a co-presenter on ITV4’s coverage of the eight-day event.
Rebecca said: “It’s always an exciting time of the year when rider announcements are being made. I’m looking forward massively to the buzz that comes with having this profile of race on home soil.
“I’ll be joining the team on ITV4 for the OVO Energy Tour of Britain for the first time, so that’s really exciting, especially working with the group we have. Everybody has a lot of expertise to bring to the table.”
Rebecca Charlton is an ambassador for OVO Energy, the UK’s largest independent energy technology company and proud sponsor of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain.
