Cycling tour 'brings £5.7m windfall to region'

Paul Magnier won the Northampton stage of the tour

World-class cyclists helped to earn a district £5.7m thanks to the large crowds they pulled in, a report found.

The cash boost was felt in west Northamptonshire as a result of hosting the penultimate stage of the 2024 Tour of Britain Men in September.

A report by British Cycling said the area benefited from the highest economic windfall of the entire tour, securing £3.6m in attendee spending.

District councillor Daniel Lister said the event showed Northampton was a "prime destination for world-class sporting events".

The town hosted the fifth of six stages on 7 September, with cyclists cheered on by thousands of spectators as they set off from the University of Northampton.

Visitors spent an average of 2.4 nights in the area during the tour, West Northamptonshire Council said.

The report found it also garnered significant media coverage to the value of £635,698.

The race took riders through scenic parts of the Northamptonshire countryside

Lister, a Conservative councillor responsible for local economy, culture and leisure, said the authority would "build on this momentum".

"Hosting this event has not only delivered an incredible economic boost, but has also inspired countless residents and visitors to embrace cycling and active lifestyles," he added.

'Lasting legacy'

The tour, which saw riders go wheel-to-wheel from the Scottish Borders to Suffolk, had a total economic impact of £21.1m, the report said.

In west Northamptonshire, they took a 91 mile (147km) route through some of the county's most scenic areas, including Newnham Hill and Bulls Hill.

Jonathan Day, the event's managing director, said it left a "lasting legacy".

"It is encouraging that so many more people have been inspired to be active and cycle more often - allowing more people to experience the joy of cycling," he added.