Scottish start to the 2012 Halfords Tour Series
Kirkcaldy to welcome first ever round of the unique Halfords Tour Series in Scotland
The 2012 Halfords Tour Series will begin in Kirkcaldy, Fife, as the unique, team based, televised cycle race Series makes its first visit north of the border to Scotland.
Kirkcaldy will stage the opening round of this year’s Halfords Tour Series on Tuesday 15th May, as ten top British teams begin their five week battle to be crowned champions of the Series, which sees teams go head-to-head for victory.
Councillor Alice Soper, Chair of Kirkcaldy Area Committee said; "Fife Council is delighted to support this new strategic event in Fife, particularly as it is the first round in the The Halfords Tour Series. We have provided significant funding through our Strategic Events Investment Programme to enable the event to be hosted in Kirkcaldy and we are confident it will attract a significant number of people to the town to watch this thrilling spectacle and provide opportunities for people to enjoy the supporting programme".
Bill Harvey, Manager of Kirkcaldy’s BID Company, Kirkcaldy 4All commented: “The Halfords Tour Series is a real boost for Kirkcaldy and the town centre. As a major sponsor this event supports our work in developing Kirkcaldy town centre as a place where people want to work, shop and spend their leisure time. An event of this significance complements our vision to create vibrant and positive town centres with safe, pleasant civic spaces which are welcoming and investment friendly”.
Supporting the Kirkcaldy round of The Halfords Tour Series will be EventScotland, the national events agency for Scotland.
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “We are delighted to be supporting The Halfords Tour Series event in Kirkcaldy, as part of our ongoing commitment to cycling. Hosting the opening event of the series is fantastic for Kirkcaldy, and it will certainly deliver an economic impact and help to increase the profile and visibility of the town through television coverage. Scotland is the perfect stage for cycling events, and The Halfords Tour Series will delight spectators, with the Scottish riders in particular guaranteed to draw a crowd.”
Set to compete in The Halfords Tour Series as a member of defending champions Rapha Condor Sharp is Commonwealth Games Bronze medallist and Scottish professional cyclist James McCallum.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to hear there will be a Scottish round in his year’s Halfords Tour Series”, said McCallum, “I’ve been waiting for this for three years.”
“The atmosphere will be electric and city centre cycling is back in Scotland at last.”
Looking ahead to the 2012 Halfords Tour Series, Race Director Mick Bennett said; “We are very pleased to be bringing The Halfords Tour Series to Kirkcaldy and Scotland, something which will hopefully see further Scottish venues joining us in 2013.
“Spectators in Kirkcaldy can look forward to an action packed evening of racing as the Series gets underway, and I’m sure the Scottish riders in the peloton like James and Evan Oliphant will be looking to impress on home roads, and of course enjoy a tremendous home support.”