Pro Cycling in Croydon Town Centre June 2015

[Tim Coales]

Croydon to host major cycling event

Croydon,26 February 2015

Croydon will step on to the world stage when it hosts a major event in the cycling calendar this summer, with thousands of spectators expected to turn out to see some of Britain’s top cyclists in action.

The Pearl Izumi Men’s Tour Series and Matrix Fitness Women’s Grand Prix, two of Britain’s main professional cycling events and the backbone of the UK pro-cycling scene, come to Croydon town centre on the evening of 2 June.

Team WIGGINS formed by 2012 Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins and the ONE Pro Cycling team of England cricketer Matt Prior join the list of teams headlined by defending champions JLT Condor.

The 75-minute men’s race is one of 10 events taking place this summer at different town centre venues across the UK and is the only London event – other than Canary Wharf.

The one-hour women’s race is one of five events across the country.

The 1km cycle route includes the north part of the pedestrianised North End, crossing the tram lines at George Street and Church Street, and Surrey Street.

Croydon Tramlink will be suspended in the town centre for the duration of the race, as well as in the lead up and immediately after, while Surrey Street Market will close early to allow the event to take place.

As part of coverage of the race, Croydon will be the subject of a one hour highlights programme on ITV4 and Eurosport, which will broadcast in 100 countries.

“This is a great opportunity to show off Croydon to a worldwide audience and demonstrates the growing confidence shown in our exciting borough. The Pearl Izumi Men’s Tour Series and Matrix Fitness Women’s Grand Prix are major sporting events that will contribute to the much-improved cultural offer of the town centre. It is a great opportunity to promote healthy living and encourage more people to cycle. With the new festival Ambition taking place the following month, this promises to be the start of a brilliant summer for Croydon."
Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council

Alastair Grant, director of tour series organisers SweetSpot, said: “Bringing the Pearl Izumi Tour Series to Croydon was a strategic decision which has been further strengthened by the enthusiasm that the council holds.

“We are looking forward to working within an established borough of London, especially one within such close proximity of the cycling heartlands in the south of the country.

“We hope that this is the start of a partnership that leads to other cycling events in the future.”