A new annual Tour of Scotland cycling event could potentially be coming to Aberdeen, Inverness and Oban in 2024.
As Tour of Britain mania settles down around the north-east, an opportunity for yet another blockbuster cycling event could be just around the corner.
SweetSpot, the promoter and organiser of the Tour of Britain, has told the Press and Journal they are planning on launching a new event that will focus on cycling events “north of the central belt”.
They say the event will be held in the spring so it does not clash with Tour of Britain’s summer slot.
The first Tour of Britain was held in 1945, and is now the most prestigious event in British road cycling.
There are hopes the Tour of Scotland could be just as successful. ITV are in discussions about covering it live, as they already do for the Tour of Britain.
Hugh Roberts founded SweetSpot in 2002. The company has been organising and promoting the Tour of Britain since 2004.
Aberdeen ‘cornerstone of plans’
Chief executive Mr Roberts said: “Aberdeen is the cornerstone of our plans, but we are also looking to go to Inverness, Oban and Stirling.
“Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council have worked tirelessly to put on the event and we have built a really good relationship with them.
“We hope the events will be a great way to stimulate tourism and support local economies.”
The Tour of Britain typically attracts between 10 and 12 UCI WorldTeams – the highest category of professional road cycling. Also usually attending are UCI ProTeams, UCI Continental Teams, and a Great Britain national squad from the academy programme.
Could Tour of Scotland boost the economy?
At this stage, it is not known what level of teams or competition will be at the Tour of Scotland.
Also unknown is the amount of economic benefits that could be received.
But if the Tour of Britain is anything to go by, it could mean big.
In 2021, it pumped more than £1 million into the north-east economy as 110,000 people lined the route, 72% of those coming from outside Aberdeenshire.
However, the potential for the Tour of Scotland to reach similar heights is still to be seen. But Mr Roberts has said the plans include both men’s and women’s races.
Currently, the Tour of Britain only has a men’s race. Although SweetSpot does have a separate Women’s Tour event which has been running since 2014 and follows a similar structure.
In 2019, a Women’s Tour of Scotland was hosted by a different company, Zeus Sports. However, the company folded after the event, as it failed to pay teams.
‘Absolutely fantastic for Oban’
The news that the event will focus on places outside of the central belt has been welcomed by campaigners.
Andrew Spence is the chief executive of Oban Business Improvement District and a keen cyclist himself.
He said: “It would be a chance to share the opportunity across Scotland, especially to locations like Oban. It would be absolutely fantastic.
“We would welcome the Tour of Scotland with open arms. We’ve already got a very strong cycling community around Oban.”
Another attraction for tourists
Road cycling already features in Oban’s calendar. Every year the Oban Sportive charity cycle event is held. One of its routes travels around Loch Awe and under the shadow of Ben Cruachan, the “Hollow Mountain”.
The mountain, which has an hydroelectric power station inside it, has been tipped as a popular tourist hotspot as it is due to star in the upcoming Star Wars TV show Andor.
It is hoped that with the increased focus on cycling in the area, Oban can become a local hub.
It already was one of the first places in the UK to have a travel carriageway on the railway which can support up to 26 bikes.
Mr Spence added: “Cycling has grown in size and popularity over the years. There’s lots of good routes and lots of steep climbs near to Oban.
“For example, if you look at the Tour de France, you can see the economic impact it brings to all the small towns and villages it passes through.”
SweetSpot says there will be more details about the Tour of Scotland in the future.
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