Chief Constable's chain reaction

23/02/2010

Police chief Jon Stoddart will get on his bike and put his foot down on the pedal to challenge elite cycle riders racing round a North East reservoir.

Durham’s Chief Constable is backing the return to the county of one of the top road races in Britain which takes place on Sunday March 28 2010.

In full racing regalia the Chief, a keen amateur rider, together with top riders from the Pinerello team and a former gold medallist will test the course around Derwent reservoir.

Reporters and photographers are invited to cover the launch event (weather permitting) at 1.00pm on Thursday 25 February 2010, meeting at the lodge at the foot of the dam near Derwent Bridge on the B6278 - post code DH8 9TT.

Jon Stoddart, aged 50, said: “This is a major event which puts County Durham in the national spotlight. As a keen sportsman, and an enthusiastic cyclist, and in my wider community role as Chief Constable, I’m keen to support the event which puts the County in a positive light and reminds people that as well as being a great and safe place to live, it is also a fantastic place to visit and enjoy a holiday.”

More than 100 elite and Olympic male riders representing the best of British cycling will race seven times around Northumbrian Water’s Derwent reservoir, near Consett – covering a distance of 140km (84 miles) and at speeds of up to 60mph.

The event is officially named the ‘Northumbrian Water Tour of the Reservoir Road Race’ and riders will cross the finish line on the dam wall, after about four hours of gruelling racing.

It is the first race of the 2010 premier national British Cycling road race calendar and organised by the Tyne Valley Cycling Club with support from Northumbrian Water.

Alistair Baker, Northumbrian Water’s communications and PR manager, said: “Water is vital for both a healthy life and for sporting performance and the 1,000 acres of our magnificent Derwent reservoir makes a spectacular backdrop for this major national cycling event which we are once again proud to host and sponsor.”

Chief Constable Stoddart has taken part in many long distance road rides completing distances of up to 120 miles a day. One of the oldest competitors in this years’ tour, Malcolm Elliott, aged 48, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, will line up alongside the Chief together with 16-year-old rising star Adam Martin, from Pelton, Chester le Street, who is part of the British Cycle Talent Team but too young to officially enter this years’ tour.

For further information contact: Alistair Baker, communications and PR manager, Northumbrian Water on 0191-301-6851 or 07711-793493.