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Team Sky’s Luke Rowe expresses support for much-criticised Velothon WalesVelothon Wales 2015 route

Team Sky’s Luke Rowe expresses support for much-criticised Velothon Wales

Meanwhile, Monmouth MP David Davies accuses the organisers of lying to people
by Alex Bowden
Wed, Jun 10, 2015 17:15
11

Team Sky’s Luke Rowe has voiced his support for Velothon Wales, the 140km sportive and professional race which has been drawing great ire from a number of those affected by road closures. Cardiff-born Rowe says that this weekend’s event will be supported by the vast majority of people and could help inspire the next Welsh superstar.

A number of local traders have complained about the impact of road closures on their businesses, but Rowe told Wales Online that they should try and look at the bigger picture.

“You are always going to get a small percentage who whinge and who are negative, but I think 99.9 per cent of people will love to see it, will embrace it and will get out there. They don’t realise how much these events will bring into the local economy. The money the Tour de France brings in for little villages – they all make a killing.”

Rowe says that closed roads are a key aspect of the event, as most amateur riders never get to experience such a thing and he says his only regret is not being able to take part himself as he is currently in France riding the Dauphiné Libéré. “The only other time I get to race in Wales is on the odd year the national championships come and it’s something I love, racing in front of friends and family.”

He describes Welsh cycling as being at ‘an absolute peak at the moment’ but doesn’t see why the sport shouldn’t strive for more. 15,000 amateur riders will take part in the Velothon. “One of these kids could be the next Welsh superstar,” he says.

The latest person to criticise the event is Monmouth MP David Davies. Speaking on BBC Radio Wales' Jason Mohammad programme on Wednesday, he accused the organisers of lying to people. "The arrogance of this organisation – they're telling lies to people. They told me that all MPs support it, and that was a lie. They back-tracked when they found out that I was an MP.”

Davies went on to claim that the organisers told him they had consulted with MPs in April, even though all MPs had at that time become candidates ahead of the general election.

As much as anything, the issue appears to be one of communication. Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales, said that the organisers should have communicated information relating to road closures sooner.

In a statement, the director of Velothon Wales, Andrew Taylor, said there had been a "programme of engagement" with those affected by the sportive and race.

"This has included a dedicated team and helpline who are doing their best to provide clear and full information to the people who need it and of course have never intended to mislead anyone.

"The route for Velothon Wales was chosen in consultation with local authorities. We do understand that some of the road closures can cause disruption but unfortunately they are unavoidable and are part and parcel of a closed-road event of this scale."

Luke Rowe
Velothon Wales
David Davies
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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11 comments

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PhillBrown | 9 years ago
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I want a high5 from anyone who sees me rocking my road.cc socks at the Welsh Velothon...

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bendertherobot | 9 years ago
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I dunno, it is anymore dumb than denying climate change and voting against gay marriage? 41

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oozaveared | 9 years ago
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I have to say that while I support the event, the communication and planning does appear to be a bit shambolic.

And fibbing to an MP to by telling him that all MPs already support the event is well.... dumb and dishonest.

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oozaveared | 9 years ago
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I have to say that while I support the event, the communication and planning does appear to be a bit shambolic.

And fibbing to an MP to by telling him that all MPs already support the event is well.... dumb and dishonest.

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DaSy | 9 years ago
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All I want is for everyone to not chuck their gel packets etc on the road like they all seemed to for the Black Rat event that came up near me the other week. It was only small but made a far bit of litter, and loads of riders were two and three abreast chatting and winding drivers up behind them.
That is all fine, but it's me riding these roads week in week out that gets the ire for these events making cyclists appear to be arrogant litter louts.

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sithlord | 9 years ago
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This looks on paper like a great event, but the organisers have been ignorant at best and arrogant at worst. I am amazed that the event has been allowed to be so poor in communications, it's not just the sportive its the race and expo both have received very little information until the last minute as in literally end of last week.

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ct | 9 years ago
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Kids, it will be great...trust me...my dad isn't a doctor

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Gkam84 | 9 years ago
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Andrew Taylor can say whatever he wants, he's cocked it up, the event looks like it could be great, the same as the Etape Caledonia, but they've put the nose out of the most important people, the local population, so it will continue to be a problem every single year they want to run something like this. Rather than doing it properly, they've employed sly tactics and now it looks like damn right lies to push this ahead.

I feel sorry for the riders who are going to be taking part, it is not their fault and I hope nothing bad happens, but I've got a feeling they might come upon the odd road block, barriers moved....etc

For an event this size, yes it does really have to be on closed roads, but why the hell does it need to be this size in the first place......oh yeah, profiteering

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bendertherobot | 9 years ago
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It's all heating up. Davies seems quite keen on the lie story. Thing is, there were no MP's at 8th April as he says. So there was no-one to consult...........it might be a lie. But the outcome of the lie is irrelevant.

I suspect they may have consulted AM's rather than MP's. Though I have no idea why they'd want to consult more than those AM's or MP's in the affected areas.

Besides, consultation is just a process. You consult. Then ignore. Davies should know how that works......

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ianrobo | 9 years ago
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Speaking to someone today who marshals for the Mid Wales Rally and he has the same problem with locals there. Is it a Welsh thing because those I know are so damn friendly.

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Disilluioned | 9 years ago
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The flaw in the argument is that the route published in August is different. It was shorter.

It wasn't until April 8th the final route was decided and published, only then could consultation begin. But the consultation appears to have been very limited and perhaps not targeted at those who needed to know.

Monmouthshire County Council quote
" The Velothon, which starts and finishes in Cardiff, is outside MCC control. Regrettably this particular event brings with it long periods of road closures. Unfortunately there has not been the consultation with those adversely affected that we were expecting."

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