Organisers of the Tour Series hope to bring one of the biggest cross-country cycling races to Aberdeen.
Thousands of people turned out to cheer on elite cyclists as they whizzed through the city centre on Thursday, making it the biggest crowd of the Tour Series so far.
And now race director Mike Bennett has revealed he hopes to bring the Tour of Britain to the Granite City.
Mr Bennett, who is the race director of the Tour of Britain, said it would be a “dream” to start the prestigious event in Aberdeen – an idea backed last night by city leaders.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “I’m absolutley delighted with the way the Tour Series event itself went and I think it is clear the feel good factor that big city events like this bring.
“Looking forward, we need to look at bringing more of these big attractions to the city.
“Speaking to businesses, especially in hospitality, it seems there has been a real boost for them from the one day of the race.
“We as an organisation can’t wait to see more of this coming to Aberdeen to boost the economy.”
Mr Bennett visualises hosting the “grand depart” on Union Street as the first stage of the Tour of Britain, potentially ending in Dundee. There would be a further four stages for the women’s race and the men would take in seven more across the rest of the country.
This year’s event is scheduled for September 2 and September 9, with the route due to be announced next month.
A former Olympic bronze-medal winning cyclist himself, Mr Bennett sees the demand in Aberdeen for such an event and would like to make it a reality.
Mr Bennett said: “We want to bring the Tour of Britain here (to Aberdeen), which is five hours of live global television – 180 countries worldwide take that signal plus a highlights programme. It would be a dream of mine to start and have the grand depart in Aberdeen, the launch of all the teams on the Saturday here in Union Street.
“Take the race on a big circuit of Aberdeen, come back through the start line and finish somewhere like Dundee, and do the same for the women’s tour. Have the whole of the women’s tour, three different stages, based in Scotland and Cumbria, because it’s only five days. The men’s is eight days.
“To start with the men’s here and finish somewhere in Cornwall – Land’s End would be a bit of a dream.”
Due to regulations around transfers and the sheer mileage covered, the race may need to be extended to nine days but Mr Bennett is hopefuly it could happen.
The men’s race started in Edinburgh last year and finished in Cardiff with the women racing from Daventry to London. The Tour of Britain dates back to 1945 when it was known as the Victory Marathon.
Triple Olympic gold-medallist Ed Clancy won the men’s Tour Series race on Thursday and lauded Aberdeen as his favourite route, while home rider Neah Evans, from Cuminestown, led her team to victory in the women’s race.
Mr Bennett added: “The first time we did a city centre race here it was blowing a hoolie. Last year the weather was fantastic and in my 37 years doing this, it was the best city centre race I’ve ever done. I’ve done 500-600 around the world but the atmosphere was brilliant.”
Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden last night welcomed the idea of bringing an even larger event to the city.
“I think that the event went very well, we were blessed with the weather and it was a great spectacle to see all the events through the day,” he said.
“To get the British tour would be just fantastic for the city and the wider region as well.”
And Aberdeen South Conservative MP Ross Thomson said: “The Tour Series races have been a tremendous success for Aberdeen – and I have no doubt that people would turn out in huge numbers for the Tour of Britain.
“It is fantastic to hear that organisers want to bring a bigger event to the north-east.
“That is a credit to the response of Aberdonians to the first race last year and this week’s event, during which crowds again lined the streets in the city centre.
“Aside from the sporting spectacle, there will also be a major knock-on effect for our local economy – and that can only be a good thing.”
