CONSETT CYCLE FESTIVAL INCLUDING TOUR OF RESERVOIR (HSBC UK | National Road Championships)
It’s party time!
Two hundred top professional cyclists descend on County Durham this June to race as the highlight of a huge and historic street party. The party is being organised to celebrate the recovery of the town of Consett from the loss of its steelworks in 1980 – a blow from which many said it would never recover. But recover it did! And exactly 25 years after the formation of Project Genesis – the Trust charged with reviving Consett’s fortunes – it’s time to celebrate.
On Sunday, June 23rd, the town centre will be turned over to a FREE festival which will include special shows, displays, races, fun events, and a food market – and all are welcome. The highlight of the day will be the Tour of the Reservoir, a long-established pro-cycle race which, for the first time, will start and finish in the town centre.
Project Genesis Chair, John O’Connor said, “Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the closure of our steelworks, and while it was devastating, it didn’t prove fatal. What this town will do in June is give itself a pat on the back and have a party. The town and the fantastic people here deserve it and we’re delighted this prestigious bike race will be part of it.”
The party starts with the women’s event, setting off at 9.00 am, circling through the town, and then heading off into the spectacular Durham countryside, before returning for the finish 71 miles later, back in the town centre. The men’s race, over 110 miles on a similar course, is flagged off at 1.30 pm.
Race organiser Mike Hodgson said, “We were delighted to be asked to join the party, and if you’ve never seen a pro-cycle race before, you’re in for a treat.”
