TOUR OF BRITAIN
On Wednesday 11 September, 120 of the world’s
top riders took to Wirral’s roads as the OVO
Energy Tour of Britain came to the borough
for the first time. The race, which started and
finished in Birkenhead Park, was a triumph
- bringing out tens of thousands of residents,
visitors, schoolchildren and cycling enthusiasts
to cheer the competitors on - including Wirral’s
own Steve Cummings.
The 104-mile route showcased Wirral’s
stunning scenery, passing through Port
Sunlight, Hoylake, Heswall and West Kirby, as
well as Cheshire and North Wales, with a sprint
through Birkenhead Park before cycling up to
Seacombe, New Brighton and Leasowe and
returning to the park for an exhilarating finish.
The first-ever Wirral stage was won by Dylan
Groenewegen, taking his third victory of the
Tour. Sadly for local lad Steve Cummings, a
crash saw him leave the race before the finish.
The eyes of the world were on Wirral for the
race, which was broadcast live on ITV4 all
day and beamed to 190 countries all over the
world – showing our beautiful peninsula to an
international audience.
92 wirrallife.com
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