One of the country’s biggest cycling races will be passing through Nottinghamshire in April – as a tribute to Harworth’s legendary cycling champion Tom Simpson.
The organisers of the Tour de Yorkshire say they were eager to include Nottinghamshire in this year’s route to pay a tribute to 1960s icon Simpson, who died during the Tour de France race in July 1967.
Both the men’s and women’s races will enter Bassetlaw on stage two of the race on Saturday, April 30, and it will continue through Harworth and Bircotes along Tickhill Road
Both races will provide great moments
Councillor Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It promises to be a wonderful and unique occasion for us to welcome the Tour de Yorkshire in Nottinghamshire, as some of the world’s top cyclists visit our great county.
“We feel honoured that the tour will be visiting Harworth and Bircotes where cycling legend Tommy Simpson grew up, and both races will provide great moments for us all.”
Who was Tom Simpson?
- Born in Haswell, County Durham and later moved to Harworth, Nottinghamshire
- Won a bronze medal for track cycling at the 1956 Summer Olympics
- Also a silver at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
- In the 1962 Tour de France he became the first British rider to wear the yellow jersey, finishing sixth overall
- During the thirteenth stage of the 1967 Tour de France, Simpson collapsed and died during the ascent of Mont Ventoux, aged just 29.
The cyclists will ride past the rows of shops and houses on Scrooby Road, and will then leave the town via the A614 towards Doncaster.
To add to the tribute to the county’s cycling legend, the race will pass the Tom Simpson memorial stone on Scrooby Road.
Picture: Alistair Greig, Memorial stone for cycling legend Tom Simpson in Harworth
June Evans, Chairman of Harworth and Bircotes Town Council, said: “The profile of our town will be raised, so local people, neighbours, groups and business will be working hard in the run-up to the race to prepare for this superb event which is also a fitting tribute to Tommy Simpson.”
The race could boost the economy in the region – last years Tour De Yorkshire race brought in an estimated £50 million.
There will be some road closures while the race is taking place but these should last no more than an hour, apart from the start and finish areas.
Interactive Google map: The route of the tour through Harworth an Bircotes on April 30
The closures will be controlled by the police and more details will be announced closer to the weekend of the race.
You can find out more about the race by visiting the Welcome to Yorkshire website.
