Letting others know "the Island is back in business", showcasing our scenery, enjoying the local produce and taking advantage of the Island’s cycling routes.
Those are among reasons why the "high-value" Le Blanq Tour is coming to the Island this month (25-27 September).
That is according to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Digital Transformation and local Ward member for Ventnor West, Councillor Garry Peace. He ensured the event could come to the Island and encouraged Island businesses to take part.
Around 100 paying guests will get the privilege of cycling with the Olympic stars, although it won't be cheap, with prices of packages costing more than £2,000.
Those who can afford it can indulge in five-star meals courtesy of Michelin star chefs Raymond Blanc and Ashley Palmer-Watts. The likes of cyclists Sean Yates and Sir Bradley Wiggins will also take part.
The “high profile and high value” event is a gastronomic-cycling weekend (meaning cyclists will get the chance to ride and dine).
It is costing the Isle of Wight Council £25,000, but Cllr Peace hopes the event will return annually to the Island for the next decade.
Councillor Gary Peace told Isle of Wight Radio:
“It’s all about involving local businesses and the Island… The Royal Yacht Squadron, Tramazeni and Ventnor Botanic Garden are all on board, the Royal Hotel is providing accommodation and it is just going to be a fantastic extravaganza - that is going to let the world know that the Isle of Wight is very firmly open for business… It will bring high-valued tourism for the Isle of Wight”.
Cllr Peace says the cycling gastro weekend is the first of its kind and it is being used as a format here so it can take place around the world.
Four separate cycling routes will be available for the guests to choose from and there will be a speed trial on the Military Road, so visitors can try and match the speed of the pros.
Cllr Gary Peace added:
“The Military Road will only be shut for a couple of hours on the Sunday so the impact on Islanders should be absolutely minimal. We just hope everyone signs up for a really great event and supports what we have going on.”
“It has cost the Isle of Wight Council £25,000 which was a difficult choice, especially in today’s climate, with COVID and the budget being how it is. We were able to find the money because the other cycle race was pushed back until next year we had some spare cash to use for this...My take on it is - this basically is a massive amount of advertising for the Isle of Wight and it will show how great the Island is for cycling, health, food and business.”
Find out more about the event here https://www.leblanq.com/
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