Council Press release
The thrills and spills of competitive cycling will be returning to the streets of Durham this week as the city again plays host to the cycle Tour Series.
This year’s race, sponsored by Pearl Izumi, has been arranged by Durham County Council in partnership with Visit County Durham and organising company, Sweetspot.
The major spectator event kicks off at 7pm on Thursday, May 16. Excitement is mounting for the series, positioned at the highest level of competition in the UK and comparable to racing anywhere in the world.
Ten teams of five top professional cyclists (and two guest teams at each round including the Velo29-Blackhawk squad who are local to the area) will take on each other and the challenges of the Durham circuit in their bid to become the top British cycling team and champions of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series.
Over the course of one hour, teams will battle to place their top three riders as high as possible in the finishing positions in order to gain their team maximum points.
When it comes to dramatic racing, exciting circuits and spectators on the road, it is by far the biggest series in the UK and Velo29 are helping to fly the flag for professional cycling in the region.
The Durham circuit is one of the most demanding with the cobbled climb, narrow streets and right angle corners and has been previously been described as ‘purgatory’ by the cyclists taking part.
The route will start and finish at Durham School and will take cyclists along Margery Lane, Crossgate Bank, South Street and Grove Street.
The crowd is estimated to be even bigger this year with thousands of spectators expected. The Belmont Park Ride will stay open until 10pm on the night of the race. Return journeys are £2.50 per person or parking will be available at County Hall from 5pm which is about 15 minutes’ walk from the course.
For more information on the Pearl Izumi Tour Series log on to: www.thetourseries.co.uk
2013 Pearl Izumi Tour Series is an eleven round televised city centre cycling race series of unique, gladiatorial team based cycling.
Ten teams of five top professional cyclists (and two guest teams at each round) will take on each other and the challenges of the Durham circuit in their bid to become the top British cycling team and champions of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series.
Local residents and businesses have received formal notification of road closures, parking restrictions and bin collection changes across the route.
The following road closures will apply prior to, during and immediately after the Pearl Izumi Tour Series 2013 on Thursday 16 May.
Quarryheads Lane (south) – strictly residents only access between 7.00am and midday. Then road closed from midday to midnight.
Grove Street, Margery Lane (south) and Quarryheads Lane (north) – road closed from 7.00am to midnight.
North Road (east/bottom of Crossgate) – road closed from 10.00am to midnight.
Margery Lane (north), Crossgate, South Street, Pimlico – road closed from midday to midnight. Please note that A690 Crossgate Peth and Alexandria Crescent will remain open at all times.
http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=8810
Any spectators intending to visit the event on bicycles are kindly requested not to enter the spectator areas via Quarryheads Lane, Pimlico or the North Road entrance to South Street.