Tour Series cycle race will not visit Peterborough this year

The race first visited Peterborough in 2009, and has been run through the city centre every year since, with the exception of 2013.

Last year the women’s race was won by Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey, while Olympic Gold Medallist Ed Clancy won the men’s race. A number of other British cycling stars competed in the races, which see riders speed through Bridge Street, along Bourges Boulevard, and up Cowgate into Cathedral Square.

The event has proved popular, with crowds lining the high speed track to watch the racing.

However, a Peterborough City Council spokesman confirmed the race would not be coming to the city this year due to a lack of sponsorship.

The spokesman said; “In previous years our hosting of the Tour Series has been funded through sponsorship. Travelchoice was the previous partner, making use of funding from the Department for Transport designed to promote sustainable travel. That funding has not been available this year.

“Unfortunately, without sponsorship it’s not possible for us to support the event. We will, however, continue to seek partners for future years.

“Peterborough has a reputation for a packed calendar of city centre events, including the Perkins Great Eastern Run and the Peterborough Heritage Festival, and we are confident 2016 will be no exception.”

A spokesman for the series said they were confident the race would return to Peterborough in the future.

He said: “The Tour Series has to move around and combine visiting new venues with traditional venues, and unfortunately this year we won’t be having an event in Peterborough.

“We’ve always enjoyed the Peterborough events, which have always been well supported by an enthusiastic crowd. We have an excellent relationship with Peterborough City Council, who we have worked with since 2009, so we are sure the Series will return to the city centre in future years.”

The Pearl Izumi Tour Series will visit venues including The Isle of Mann, Stoke on Trent, Durham, Edinburgh and Portsmouth this year.

For more details visit www.tourseries.co.uk