Tour Series provides exciting opportunities for businesses

16 April 2018

Aberdeen businesses are being invited to saddle up and help to turn the city into a cycling hub when the OVO Energy Tour Series returns on Thursday 17 May 2018.

Companies can choose to participate in a window dressing competition, and offer promotions on the day with support from Aberdeen City Council to help promote the offers across digital platforms.

The OVO Energy Tour Series drew a staggering 10,000 people on to the streets of Aberdeen for the 2017 race, and organisers are expecting big crowds again in 2018.

Aberdeen City Council Leader Jenny Laing said: “In 2017 we saw the city centre transformed into a vibrant and exciting cycle hub and with the support of local businesses this will be bigger and better in 2018. The OVO Energy Tour Series returning to Aberdeen is a huge coup for the city, and provides a great opportunity for local businesses to tap into the energy of the day.

“Aberdeen is a dynamic city which offers a great deal for both residents and visitors. We are making a concerted effort to collaborate with local businesses as we work to raise the city’s profile through our Events 365 Programme and ambitious City Centre Masterplan projects”.

The window dressing competition invites businesses to decorate their storefront in a cycling/Tour Series theme to win prizes including roundabout branding, a Union Street banner and a signed OVO Energy Tour Series rider jersey.

Businesses are also being encouraged to provide bespoke offers and promotions for the day to encourage riders and spectators to support local businesses and stay longer in the city on the day.

Chris Foy, chief executive of VisitAberdeenshire said, “Aberdeen put its best foot forward on a sunny evening in 2017, and we look forward to the city benefitting even more so this year as we welcome race teams, event organisers and cycling fans - all contributing to the local economy as they enjoy our food, drink and overnight stays. We also look forward to the long term benefit from showcasing the city on national television with the OVO Energy Tour Series broadcast on ITV4 – this is our invitation to cycling fans across the UK to saddle up and experience Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.”

The Tour Series, Aberdeen Round 3 is being supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Britain’s top professional cyclists will, once again, take to the streets of Aberdeen as the OVO Energy Tour Series returns on Thursday 17 May 2018.

The OVO Energy Tour Series is Britain’s leading domestic televised race series, with a unique team-based format for both men and women’s teams. Taking place in eight town and city centre locations, The Tour Series will celebrate its tenth season in May 2018.

It has become an annual highlight of the domestic racing scene since its inaugural edition in 2009; previous competitors include Olympic gold medallists Laura Kenny, Joanna Rowsell, Ed Clancy and Dani King, as well as emerging talent such as junior World and European cyclo-cross champion Tom Pidcock.

New to the 2018 programme for Aberdeen is the addition of an elite women’s round of the OVO Energy Tour Series, which organisers will bring to the city following the success of last year’s men’s event.

The city will be one of two Scottish rounds on the calendar, with Motherwell hosting the other on 15 May. Highlights of the Aberdeen race will be shown on ITV4 on Friday 18 May.

Details of the men and women’s teams for the OVO Energy Tour Series will be announced in April. Defending Champions JLT Condor and last year’s Aberdeen winners Canyon Eisberg are both set to compete again in the men’s event, while among the prospective women’s squads are international UCI teams Trek Drops (the 2017 champions) and the Storey Racing team of Britain’s most decorated Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey.

Highlights of every round of the OVO Energy Tour Series will be shown on ITV4, with programmes also available on demand via the ITV Hub.