Powys backing for cycle race

Attempts to attract world-renowned cycle races to Wales have been welcomed by Powys County Council.

The Welsh Government is hoping to attract other major sporting events to Wales, including one of the Grand Tour professional cycle races (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España).

Wales has had huge success in hosting major events including golf’s Ryder Cup, the Rugby World Cup, Ashes cricket Tests and a 2012 Olympics opening event while Cardiff was in the global spotlight earlier this month when it hosted the 2017 Champions League Final.

The efforts by the Welsh Government to bring one of the Grand Tour races to Wales is being supported by the council with its Leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, expressing her desire for any race to come through Powys if it is hosted in the country.

“The Welsh Government has had great success in attracting some of the world’s biggest sporting events to Wales in recent years.  It is only right that they continue to attract major sporting events to the country,” said Cllr Harris.

“Grand Tour cycling events would be a massive coup for the country so I welcome the Welsh Government’s attempts to bring one of these prestigious races to Wales.

“Powys would be an ideal county for any Grand Tour to come through with our outstanding scenery and challenging landscapes. Our county is earning itself a fantastic reputation for hosting and staging major events.

“We already have a proven track record in hosting major cycling events before including the Tour of Britain. We are proud to have hosted a stage start of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race five times and a race finish for the first time last year.

“We will continue to support the Welsh Government’s efforts to bring a Grand Tour race to the country and, if successful, I hope that Powys can play some part if Wales are given the opportunity to host one of these special sporting events.”