Excitement building for Tour

With less than a week until the international cycle race begins, excitement is growing in the town which will play host to the start of stage two of the challenge on Saturday, April 30.

All eyes will be on the second stage this year, following the recent announcement that the inaugural women’s race will follow exactly the same route as the men’s race and offer record prize money.

Former Olympic silver medalist cyclist Emma Pooley is due to compete alongside Otley’s very own World Champion Lizzie Armitstead. Sir Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky’s Lars Petter Nordhaug and British road champion, Pete Kennaugh, are due to compete in the men’s race.

Councillor Ray Georgeson, chair of Otley Town Council, said: “This will undoubtedly be a fantastic event for Otley especially given we are a cycling town and the proud home of World Road Racing Champion Lizzie Armitstead. We are particularly looking forward to supporting Lizzie through the streets of her home town and welcoming everyone to Otley for this fantastic event.”

Both men’s and women’s races will start from a closed section of Boroughgate where the inflatable start arch will be situated before the riders follow a ceremonial route around the town centre. People can see the riders via: Westgate, Piper Lane, Bradford Road, West Chevin Road, Burras Lane, Station Road, Bondgate, Crossgate, Nelson Street, Walkergate and Cross Green before heading towards Pool on the A659 where the race will officially begin. The women’s race starts at 8.15am and the men’s at 2pm. There will be a large TV screen in the market place and at a free spectator hub on Garnett’s Field. The team buses will be in the North Parade car park and on the closed sections of Wesley Street, North Parade and on part of Boroughgate.