Tour de Bretagne Race Preview - Jersey

More documents

Recommendations

Info

2 Tour de Bretagne – Jersey 2010 Jersey welcomes Tour de Bretagne THE reaction of Islanders to the Tour de Bretagne cycle race in 2007 was overwhelmingly positive. Everything from the spectacle of the President of France’s personal motorcade escort to the display of high-speed racing along Victoria Avenue and the general warmth and camaraderie that was shared by competitors and spectators alike made it an event to remember. But the question was this: Will the cyclists return and could it be for a longer race? I am very pleased to say that the answer was a firm ‘yes’ – the Tour de Bretagne has returned and this time not only with a time-trial but a full-blown road race that could be the single biggest sporting spectacle in Jersey since the days of motor racing along the Avenue. And it appears to me that this is more than a cycle race. A lot has happened since 2007 and we have built a relationship beyond hosting the race. Jersey Tourism has developed press relations extensively in the Breton region and already a Breton hero, world champion Bernard Hinault, patron of the race, has been to the Island and personally endorsed Jersey as a great cycling destination. Jersey was privileged to have been invited to the Championnat de France in St Brieuc last year and our association with the race was appreciated by more than 100,000 spectators. World champion Bernard Hinault, patron of the race It was, in fact, announced live on French National TV that Jersey was to host the first two legs of the 2010 Tour de Bretagne. Members of the local cycling fraternity have been hugely influential in forging links with the Tour. The warm reception of the competitors in 2007 has continued as they have ‘adopted’ teams. They have also had the pleasure of seeing the 2007 Jersey time-trial winner, Lars Boom, go on to become a cycling superstar. The Sunday programme of the event promises to be special for Jersey junior cyclists. Not only is the Jersey Cycle Association launching its Youth Academy on the day, but the youngsters will also be escorted by Republicaine motorcade riders in races as a curtain-raiser during the morning. They will also have privileged access to the podium and presentation facilities during the big event itself. The weekend’s race features 22 teams and not all are French. We have riders from all over the world, including Australia, Japan and members of the famous SKY GB team. A race like this requires an awful lot of co-operation from so many bodies and individuals. I would like to extend my thanks, in particular, to Islanders who are not necessarily directly involved with cycling, tourism or even sport. The organisers in my team a re full of praise and appreciation for the public support they are receiving. I must make special note and offer my sincere thanks to several bodies and individuals, particularly the Tourism Development Fund, sponsor of the event – support which guaranteed the Tour’s return. I am also particularly pleased to say that the Tour de Bretagne is run on an honorary basis....a heartening characteristic and all too rare a trait that we are privileged to share and enjoy the benefits of in our own Jersey community. My thanks also go to Connétable Mike Jackson, who is working closely with Connex. They have embraced the spirit of the event and will be offering all Islanders and visitors the chance to leave their cars at home and head to Gorey on the Sunday thanks to an Island wide free bus service. May I wish all those taking part in the Tour and the organisers and volunteer helpers every success. May I also encourage Islanders to turn out in force to enjoy what will undoubtedly be an exciting and exhilarating sporting spectacle. Senator Alan Maclean, Economic Development Minister. FREE FREE 400 MB data FREE HTC Desire usually £184.99 on 18 Month Blue plan Free HTC Desire with 18 Month Blue plan All for only £41.99 a month Launches today, visit our store on Queen Street for more details.
Tour de Bretagne – Jersey 2010 3 The Tour de Bretagne 2010 Imagine Manchester United or AC Milan coming to play a free football match in your local park - an event where you could just walk up and watch the best in the world play without having to pay a penny. Welcome to bike racing. Cycling is the world’s biggest free sporting spectacle - no stadiums, no admission fees, just a great big free show that comes to you on your streets. And in the shape of the Tour de Bretagne, this free show will hit Jersey’s shores for the second time on Sunday 25 th and Monday 26 th April. Can you afford to be anywhere else? The Tour de Bretagne is a race steeped in history. Known for most of its existence as the Ruban Granitier Breton, it is renowned as a tough race for tough riders. It’s definitely not one for the faint hearted. The race started in 1967 and it is now one of the most important week-long stage races on the UCI European Tour. For 2010 the organisers have assembled an exciting multi-national field full of current and past national, world and Olympic champions. You can watch teams from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Norway, Russia and USA. For the first time ever you will be able to cheer on a local rider in Tobyn Horton, the first Channel Islander to make it into the ranks of professional cycling. Magnus Backstedt’s course review Road race course Stage start: 1330 Estimated finish time: 1645 The road race course for the first stage in Jersey is a very interesting one. This could turn out to be much tougher than most riders expect it to be. At a first glance it looks very flat, but when you start adding up all the little climbs and the fairly big climb half way round the course, you will have almost 2000m of altitude to climb. No doubt this will catch a few by surprise and as it is the first day of racing some might not have their legs working 100% just yet. The main points for spectators will be start/finish area with all of the activities available there. Some of the more interesting points will be from St Martin’s Church at the top of the hill. Because of the climb you will have plenty of time to see the riders go past and most likely you will see the winning move, if there is one, being made on this hill as well. If you are a bit more of a speed demon and like the fast technical stuff, I would suggest getting to the Grouville part of the course. There are some very technical turns that will be taken at high speed. This year’s Tour de Bretagne could very well be won overall by the rider who wins here. Over the years it has become very well known in the world of cycling that if you are a good time triallist you can win stage races like this that are tough, but has no high mountains. I would therefore suggest that you keep an eye out for some specific time trial specialists who can also do a bit of a sprint when they have to. Some of those guys would be: Evgeni Popov (Itera-Katusha) Alexander Porsev (Itera-Katusha) Ed Clancy (GB) Great Britain Steven Burke (GB) Great Britain Alex Wetterhall (Sweden) Team Sprocket Scott Zwisanski (USA) Kelly Benefits Strategies Jack Anderson (AUS) (Team Sprocket) About the preview writers... * Magnus Backstedt retired from the top flight of professional cycling after a 13-year career. During his career Backstedt won some of the biggest races in the world, including stages of the Tour de France and Giro D’Italia as well as the famous single-day cobbled street classic, the Paris Roubaix. Magnus now works as an expert TV pundit on Eurosport and other TV channels. Marty MacDonald has worked as a cycling commentator and presenter on programmes that have been broadcast on Eurosport, Sky Sports and Cycling. tv among others. Marty has an unique infectious style of commentary that appeals to both hardened fans and newcomers alike. Together they run the Sprocket ProCycling team and Magnus and Marty will provide expert commentary onsite at the Tour de Bretagne to bring the race to life for you, the spectators. What is a stage race? A stage race is a multi-stage event that can consist of point-to-point stages, circuit races and time trials. Another great point would be at Gorey Harbour. Sit back have a drink in one of the coffee shops or bars and watch the riders swing past you. The rider with the lowest accumulated time is declared the overall winner. A rider does not have to win all or any of the stages to win the race overall. In the Tour de Bretagne there are six road stages and one individual time trial. Stage 1 – Jersey Stage 2 – Jersey (individual time trial) Stage 3 – San Malo – Saint Gildas du Bois Stage 4 - Saint Gildas du Bois – Mauron Stage 5 – Mauron – Le Huelgoat Stage 6 - Le Huelgoat – Iffendic Stage 7 – Iffendic - Dinan The TT course First rider starts: 0915 Last rider starts: 1146 This is one of the most spectacular time trial courses I have seen in a while. The fast straight road along St Ouen’s Bay, the tough climb up to St Ouen and the very fast descent down towards the sea again all promises that the stage winner will be a very good all-round time triallist. If you like speed, you should watch the riders coming onto the Five-mile Road at the very top of the course. They are likely to hit speeds in the region of 50-55mph. Ride Like The Wind With a bike from at LAWRENCE DE GRUCHY LTD 46 Don St. St Helier. Tel: 730090
Page 1: Don’t miss this international cyc
Page 5 and 6: Tour de Bretagne - Jersey 2010 5 So
Page 7 and 8: Plémont C105 WC B55 Portinfer Rout

Tour de Bretagne Race Preview - Jersey

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?