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Cycling event will go ahead thanks to community funding

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

THE 2012 Tour of the North International Cycle Race is to go ahead in Rathfriland, after it was previously quashed by Banbridge District Council.
As reported in The Outlook at the time, the council, which had previously supported the event, cited 'financial pressures' as their reason not to back the race this year, as organisers were seeking £3,000 financial support.
However, members from Rathfriland and District Regeneration Company unanimously decided last Wednesday night to stage the second day of the tour, which promises to attract 15,000 to 20,000 spectators.
Committee member and cycling enthusiast, Colin Finley, said the race was important for the town and there would be a lot of touring and road cyclists going through Rathfriland on the day, which would make it a great stop-off point.
Mr Finley said: "The route is so nice because we are close to the Mourne Mountains and this will put Rathfriland on the map as a cyclist route."
The event, which will take approximately three hours, is starting at 11am on Easter Saturday and will include supporting stalls and a cycle shop sponsored by the race organisers.
The Regeneration Committee hopes to put on music and are also appealing for cycling groups in the district to get involved or take part in the interim display.
Mr Finley said: "We want to make a day out of this event and it can only be a positive thing that it is going ahead for Rathfriland and will create excitement in the area on the Easter weekend."
The Regeneration group are also hoping to approach the council to see if they will open the community centre on the day of the race, so participating cyclists can use the changing room facilities.
Mr Finley said that the nationwide media coverage it will attract should provide a great opportunity for the town and will lift the profile of Rathfriland.
He added: "In some ways the event will give awareness to cyclists that Rathfriland can be used as an everyday route and it will also introduce people to cycling who have not looked at it as a sport before."
Billy Maxwell, chairman of the West Down Wheelers, is delighted to see the event come to the town and plans to marshal the race, covering bad corners and directing the cyclists.
He said: "This is great news for Rathfriland, it would never have come back again if we didn't get it, the council let us down by not approving it in the first place."
Mr Maxwell added that the council is spending money on other events such as the Olympics, but should have supported the race as "Rathfriland is starved of sporting events".
Meanwhile, if you are interested in getting involved with the interim display on race day, please email Mr Finley as soon as possible to colin@grallaghstudios.com.

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