TOUR de France champion Geraint Thomas and cycling superstar Chris Froome will help fuel a visitor boom in Cumbria – with the pair set to compete in the Tour of Britain.
The biggest event in British cycling is returning to Cumbria next month with two full stages being held in the county.
The tour not only brings world-class sporting action to the area but it is heralded as pumping millions into the region’s economy.
In a major coup for organisers, Froome will ride his first Tour of Britain since 2009, with the six-time Grand Tour winner making a rare appearance of any kind on home soil.
Thomas – who is one of the favourites to win the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year – will be taking on everything Cumbria has to offer just weeks after his stunning victory in France.
He was once a regular in the Tour of Britain but his appearance last year, when he finished seventh overall, was his first since 2011.
Stage five sets off from Cockermouth on September 6 and ends at Whinlatter Visitor Centre. The following day riders will start the 170km stage six at Barrow Town Hall and end up in Whinlatter.
The pair’s inclusion on the Tour is being welcomed by cycling fans across the county.
Mike Lee, who owns Palace Cycles in Carlisle, said: “This is a huge deal for the county.
“We have these exceptionally talented, high-profile sporting characters that will be cycling the roads that normal people ride, that’s very inspirational.
“It will bring cycling to the attention of a much broader demographic. It glamorises the sport and the event which is a great thing.”
Clive Forth, the manager of Cyclewise Cockermouth, said: “To have athletes of that level competing here is awesome.”
Welsh hero Thomas said: “As soon as I’d finished the Tour de France I knew I wanted to ride the Tour of Britain and race on home roads. It starts in Wales which will be special, and then I get to go and race across the whole of the UK. I can’t wait.”
Froome added: “It’s been a long time since I’ve raced the Tour of Britain. “I’m really looking forward to riding.
“I always remember there being a great atmosphere at the Tour of Britain and the race has only got bigger over the years.”
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