Nottinghamshire prepares to welcome the Tour de Yorkshire

Millions of people will watch on TV as some of the elite cyclists of our generation pass through Harworth and Bircotes as they compete in the men’s and women’s race.

Tour organisers were keen to visit Nottinghamshire this year as a tribute to 1960s cycling legend Tommy Simpson who tragically lost his life during the Tour de France in July 1967. Tommy Simpson had grown up in Harworth, joining Harworth and District Cycling Club as a teenager and went on to become one of the UK’s most decorated cyclists before his sudden death.

Nottinghamshire County Council, Bassetlaw District Council, Harworth and Bircotes Town Council, local groups, people and businesses, will take part in the celebrations as the Tour de Yorkshire visits Nottinghamshire.

Both races will enter Bassetlaw, the northern most district of Nottinghamshire, and enter Harworth and Bircotes along Tickhill Road, and travel through the linear style rows of shops, businesses, parks, social clubs and houses on Scrooby Road, before leaving the town via the A614 to Doncaster.

Both the men’s and the women’s race will go past the Tommy Simpson memorial stone in Scrooby Road. The women’s race is due to enter the town at 11.28am. The men’s race is due to enter the town at 4.57pm. it is the stretch of the route between Tickhill and Bawtry, find out more on timings: letour.yorkshire.com/timings

Councillor Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It promises to be a wonderful and unique occasion for us to welcome the Tour de Yorkshire in Nottinghamshire – as some of the world’s top cyclists visit our great county. We feel honoured that the tour will be visiting Harworth and Bircotes where cycling legend Tommy Simpson grew up, and both races will provide great moments for us all.”

Councillor Simon Greaves, Leader of Bassetlaw District Council said: “We are delighted that the Tour de Yorkshire is coming to North Nottinghamshire in recognition of one of Britain’s first cycling superstars, Tommy Simpson. On behalf of the District of Bassetlaw we look forward to welcoming the Tour and watching world class cyclists in action.”

In terms of the race day, on April 30, Harworth and Bircotes sports and social club will be open for people to visit which hosts the Tommy Simpson Museum. Among the memorabilia there is the racing kit – shirt, shorts gloves and cap. The Comrades Club and Harworth and Bircotes Town Hall will be open. Schools will be taking part in street art with a focus on the recreation ground along Scrooby Road.

June Evans, Chairman of Harworth and Bircotes Town Council, which is organising the community celebrations, said: “The profile of our town will be raised, so local people, neighbours, groups and business will be working hard in the run-up to the race to prepare for this superb event which is also a fitting tribute to Tommy Simpson.”

Last year’s inaugural Tour de Yorkshire race was watched by an estimated 1m people and brought £50m into the region’s economy. The event was launched after Yorkshire hosted the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014.

In terms of the overall race, the Tour de Yorkshire event organisers will be rolling road closures lasting no more than an hour, apart from the start and finish lines and some climbs where the road closures will be longer. Road closures will be managed by the police and will be announced nearer the race weekend.

The race is being organised by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and Welcome to Yorkshire - supported by local authorities in and around the Yorkshire area. Find out more by visiting: www.letour.yorkshire.com.