SOME of the world's best cyclists will speed through Mole Valley later this year as part of the Tour of Britain, it has been confirmed today.
The UK's biggest professional cycle race's penultimate stage sweeps into Surrey on Saturday, September 21 and is set to provide a multi-million pound boost for the county.
The 96-mile Surrey stage will pass through Epsom, Leatherhead, East Horsley, Dorking, Holmbury St Mary, Cranleigh, Shere, Send, Woking, Ottershaw, Chobham, Knaphill, Normandy, Elstead, Churt, Farnham and Guildford.
The annoucement of this major cycling event coming to Mole Valley comes after thousands of people lined the streets of the district to watch the Olympic cycle races last summer.
The rider line up has not yet been announced but previous competitors include former world champion and Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish and Olympic gold medallist and Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins.
This year's Surrey stage is even tougher than 2012 with daunting climbs over the first half of the race before some flat-out sprints in the run up to Guildford. The King of the Mountain climbs and sprint locations will be announced in May.
John Furey, Surrey County Council's cabinet member of transport and environment, said: "This will be the second year running Surrey has welcomed the Tour of Britain and once again the bone juddering Guildford High Street will prove a scintillating finish for both riders and spectators.
"We proved last year with the Olympic cycle races and the Tour of Britain that Surrey is adept at hosting high profile sporting events.
"There is a huge appetite for cycling in Surrey and I have no doubt our county will be the highlight of the Tour. Record numbers in the event's history turned out in Surrey last year, some 225,000."
The Surrey stage of The Tour of Britain 2013 is sponsored by Welmede, Tarmac UK and Foxhills.
Hugh Roberts, chief executive of The Tour of Britain, added: "As a Surrey based company we are delighted to once again have a home stage, particularly one with such an iconic finish as Guildford.
"Surrey will once again provide a perfect backdrop for the Tour as it draws towards the conclusion of the 2013 race."
Last year's Tour of Britain generated almost £7.2 million for Surrey's economy and was watched by almost one million television viewers on each of the event's eight days. This year's race will again be televised.
The Tour of Britain 2013 will begin in Scotland on 15 September and end in London seven days later on Sunday, September 22.
Let us know what you think about Mole Valley's role in this year's Tour of Britain by leaving a comment below.
