It is a huge PR scoop to have the main man of the moment taking part and it's a move which should add some badly needed impetus to the levels of public interest to the event.
I remember watching the Milk Race as a lad on one of its many visits to Liverpool in '87. There was a huge crowd at the finishing line on the cobbles of William Brown Street to watch local lad Joey McLoughlin win a group sprint against a field which included Stephen Roche.
I'm sure the daily stages were shown on Channel 4 as a highlights package - the race was really in the public eye.
Since then the Tour of Britain has fallen off the radar somewhat and of course ceased to exists for five years at the turn of the 21st century.
Wiggings' inclusion will draw crowds from outside of cycling to roadsides up and down the country - there are many other good riders taking part too, of course.
He's a PR dream at the moment is the sideburned one - his Mr 20 per cent must be getting offers and request left right and centre.
It's a bit of a shame that the route does not include visits to the major centres of population: stage two skirting Manchester and Liverpool in favour of Knutsford and Knowsley Safari Park. Both wonderful places in their own right but on a Monday afternoon, I'm not sure how successful it'll be in terms of visitors. I hope I'm wrong and besides, what do I know about organising a major sporting event?
No comments:
Post a Comment