Press Release 22.05.2014 Local riders prepare for Pearl Izumi challenge With just days to go before the Pearl Izumi cycle race takes place in Durham City, North East riders have been making their final preparations for the competition. Stockton-based Achieve Skinnergate Racing – one of three guest teams taking part in the Durham round of the competition – have been checking out the cobbled route that they will face next Tuesday evening (May 27). The team was established in 2012 and its riders have been training hard to build the fitness required to compete at a national level. In the last six months they have covered 5,600 miles, including two week-long training camps in Spain, equating to 300 hours on the bike in preparation for national competitions. Team manager and rider Jack Rees said: “The Pearl Izumi Tour Series in Durham is a key objective for the team. “The event is arguably one of the biggest in the UK and we are hoping for a strong showing. “As a local team with local sponsors we can’t wait to put our jerseys on show and race hard as thank you to all those that have supported us.” Thousands of spectators are expected to take to the streets on Tuesday to watch the race – which will feature eight regular teams and three guest teams – and those wishing to join the fun are advised to plan ahead and travel early in order to avoid congestion and road closures. Events start at 4.30pm when the Meze Mundo street band will be entertaining the crowds before the cyclists from the fire service, followed by junior riders from the Hetton Hawks local team take to the circuit. The warm up for the main event begins at 6pm and the race itself will start at 7pm. Durham County Council is hosting the event, which is sponsored by Pearl Izumi and organised by Sweetspot. Cllr Maria Plews, Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning at Durham County Council, said: “This is a fantastic family event and a great opportunity to see the nation’s top professional cyclists tackling the demanding route around Durham City. “We are encouraging people to come along, join the fun and cheer on the riders as they go past. “We’re very proud to be hosting the Pearl Izumi Tour Series again in Durham and we wish all those taking part the very best of luck.” The Durham circuit is known as one of the most demanding of all of the Tour Series rounds, with cobbled streets, steep climbs, narrow streets and tight corners. The start-finish is next to Durham School, on Grove Street, and the following road closures will apply on the day: · Quarryheads Lane (south) – strictly residents only access between 7am and 12 noon. The road is then closed from 12 noon until midnight. · Grove Street, Margery Lane (south) and Quarryheads Lane (north) closed between 7am and midnight. · North Road (east/bottom of Crossgate) closed from 10am until midnight. · Margery Lane (north), Crossgate, South Street, Pimlico, closed between 12 noon and midnight. · Please note that the A690 Crossgate Peth and Alexandria Crescent will remain open at all times. Free parking is available for people wanting to walk into Durham City from County Hall and the park and ride sites at Howlands and Sniperley. People can attend the event for free and the route map is available on the tour series website – tourseries.co.uk The event will be televised on ITV4 at 9pm on Wednesday 28 May.
Posted on: Thu, 22 May 2014 11:05:41 +0000
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