Plans for the Tour Series to return to Colchester, where last year’s race attracted 18,500 spectators according to the organisers, have been thrown into doubt following a row over funding.
Last June, Tom Southam of Rapha-Condor beat Russ Downing, then with Candi TV-Marshalls Pasta and now at Team Sky, to take the individual win, while Halfords BikeHut took the team prize.
Colchester Council, which hailed last year’s event a success, planned to bring the race back this year, but local newspaper the Daily Gazzette claims that according to cabinet member Paul Smith, delays in obtaining promises from Essex County Council to help meet the expense of staff and security have led to it diverting money that would have gone towards the race to reversing proposed cuts to arts funding in the town.
As a result, money originally earmarked for this year’s race have instead been allocated to the Mercury Theatre, which receives an additional £25,000, and Colchester Arts Centre, which will get an extra £5,000 to restore its funding up to last year’s level.
The newspaper added that Anne Turrell, leader of Colchester Council, was hopeful that the race could still go ahead, quoting her as saying, “The council is trying as hard as it can to get it to come back to Colchester.”
Tour Series spokesperson Craig Brophy told Road.cc: "The Tour Series are in negotiations with a number of venues, including Colchester, with regard to the 2010 race programme, and will begin to make announcements regarding the 2010 Series very soon.
He added: “We cannot comment on the funding situation of any of our potential stakeholders, but have been extremely pleased with the level of interest in our event from potential venues, following the successful establishment of The Tour Series in 2009."
There could maybe be a "but" between "story" and "platforming", apart from that the post makes perfect sense. If you don't understand it it's your...
Indeed and a thumbs-up. BUT ......
The problem with Mikey is that there is a real need for people like him doing what he does as otherwise drivers continue to endanger others with...
For those who only bike-fly once or twice a year, rental is a great option. There's a guy in Marlow on Thames (for example) that I've used. He's...
Common sense at last
And tandems...
Car crashes into wall behind Natwest in Winchester https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/24216676.photos-car-crashes-wa...
Standard driver responses - what a grim world view to go through life with, full of resentment and bitterness. ...
One way to find out is to put a member of the driver's family on the bike and ask them to repeat the manoeuvre.
This was in my local park and dogs are allowed off-lead. Cyclists are required to ride slowly and give due care and attention as it happens.