Tour of the North for Portaferry

Tour of the North for Portaferry

17 February 2016

THE Tour of the North International Cycle race is coming to Portaferry this Easter.

One of the most popular events on the cycling calendar will be hosted by the Ards and North Down Council area and organisers will be using the Portaferry Hotel as their headquarters.

The race has a rich history and will take place on March 25-28, as it has done since the mid-1950s. Past winners include the former world number one, Ireland's Sean Kelly (1976) and the recently retired Ards man Martyn Irvine (2009,) who went on to win the World Scratch Track title in 2013.

Last year’s winner was Bangor’s David Watson and he will be back to defend the title on familiar roads.

Cahal Arthurs, the new proprietor of the Portaferry Hotel, was delighted to welcome the race organisation team and officials to the hotel. Cathal said: “It’s another great boost for the local economy to have such a high profile event coming to the Ards Peninsula and having their headquarters in Portaferry”.

The Portaferry Regeneration committee is keen to encourage the village to embrace the event. The group is lending support to ensure a safe and successful race. 

Race director Joan McCullough said: “I am excited about basing the Tour in Portaferry for the first time. The hotel will be a first class hub for the weekend and some new challenging routes around the scenic Ards and North Down borough will test the riders to the max.”