Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, August 29, 2008

PUPILS from three Devon schools will be visited by a future Olympic cycling hopeful next week in the run up to the start of the Tour of Britain.

Following Great Britain's domination of the cycling at the Beijing Olympics, the South West Bike Academy will visit North Molton Primary School, South Molton Infants and Wilcombe Primary School in Tiverton on Wednesday 3 September.

The schools are close to the route of the South West stage of the tour which passes through Devon as part of the South West stage on Tuesday 9 September, and pupils from dozens of local schools are expected to turn out during the race to see Britain's Olympic cyclists.

South West Bike Academy cyclist Josh Yetman, 18, from Somerset, is among the Academy riders who will lead off the ceremonial start of the south west stage of the Tour of Britain from Chard, heading the field of professionals for the first 5km in Somerset. He and team manager David Walters will talk to the youngsters about cycling and the Tour.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "These visits are a wonderful opportunity for children to see up close the kind of bicycles that will be racing through their towns and villages during the Tour of Britain. Hopefully the Tour of Britain and the visit by the South West Bike Academy will help youngsters to discover the joy of cycling and may even inspire future Olympians."

David Walters, South West Bike Academy manager, said: "This is a great time to be involved with cycling and the Olympics and Tour of Britain are really helping to attract a lot of interest in the sport. We would like to help the children experience first hand the excitement generated by cycling and the hard work that is put into the sport, and hopefully that can help more young riders come through our ranks in future."

Councillor Des Hannon, Devon County Councillor for Tiverton East and County Council Member Champion for cycling said: "It's great to be able to welcome Josh to Tiverton. He is living proof of the opportunities that youngsters can find in cycling today and it reinforces what we have learnt from watching Team GB win gold at the Olympics."

Councillor Jeremy Yabsley, Devon County Councillor for South Molton Rural, said: "Our local schools are keen to promote cycling as part of their travel plans so it's encouraging for such positive role models to pay them a visit. The South West Bike Academy is generously giving its time and I'm sure it will be exciting for the pupils at the school to meet a young, up-and-coming athlete."

The Academy is the feeder team for Plowman Craven, the leading professional cycling team in the UK, and it is providing the ideal development training for young riders, with one of the Academy riders, Ed Griffin from Wiltshire turning professional this year.

Devon County Council is supporting the south west stage which is expected to be the toughest of the entire Tour. It will set off from Chard in Somerset before crossing into Devon and passing through Tiverton, with the first Sprint at Blundell's School, onto South Molton with another Sprint as riders enter the town, and a gruelling King of the Mountains climb at North Molton as the race heads to Exmoor and onto the finish at Burnham-on-Sea.

Among the riders competing in the Tour of Britain are Beijing Olympic gold medal winners Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas and bronze medal winner Chris Newton. They will be joined by Mark Cavendish, the only Briton to win four stages of the Tour de France in a single year.

The south west stage of the Tour of Britain is being hosted by Somerset County Council with the support of Devon County Council, South Somerset District Council, Exmoor National Park Authority and the South West Regional Development Agency.

Notes to Editors:

Media representatives are invited to attend photo/filming opportunities on Wednesday 3 September at North Molton School at 9am, South Molton Infants at 10:45am and Wilcombe Primary in Tiverton at 1pm.

A photograph of Josh Yetman is available by calling the Media and PR Office on 01392 383262.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.

Councillor Des Hannon, 01884 253627.

Councillor Jeremy Yabsley, 01884 860745.

David Walters, SW Bike Academy, 01935 825879 or 07729 759883.

For more information visit: www.tourofbritain.co.uk

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
• Children and Young People £101 million

• Other important County Council support includes:
• Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres

• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
• 33 Liberal Democrat
• 23 Conservative
• 4 Labour
• 2 Independent
• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

• Key stats:
• Population: 741,000
• Schools: 365
• Pupils: 96,200
• Children looked after: 584
• Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
• Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
• Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
• Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
• Bridges: 3,500
• Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
• Streetlights: 71,000
• Illuminated road signs: 10,917
• Recycling Centres: 20
• Recycling rate: 49.21%

Figures may be subject to change

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