Appeal for Tour Makers as Rochdale prepares for Tour de France

People who want to get even closer to the action when the Tour de France comes to Rochdale are being reminded there is still chance to register as a volunteer.  Organisers of the world famous cycle race are looking for people interested in serving as volunteer ‘Le Tour Makers’ and provide a warm welcome to the crowds next July.

Council Leader Colin Lambert said it will be an honour for Rochdale to host some of the race:

“We are very excited about the Tour de France coming to Rochdale and I encourage anyone interested in this scheme to put their names forward now. It promises to be an historic, spectacular event and a perfect follow on from the Rugby League World Cup.  Having the race pass through our borough will have a positive economic benefit on the area, in addition to the new visitors and publicity it will attract.”

Asda will be the official partner of the Tour Makers for the Tour de France in the UK, helping with the recruitment, training, feeding and clothing of Tour Makers, which will be made up of up to 10,000 volunteers across the country.  A Le Tour spokesman said there has been a lot of interest so far:

“At the moment, we’re looking for people to register, and there will be more detail on the project given out early in the New Year.”

Around a kilometre of the route will pass into Rochdale – along a section of B6138 and the A58 adjacent to Chelburn reservoir.  The route includes a sharp bend which will slow the tour down and maximise viewing opportunities.  Stage two, on 6 July, will take the race from York to Sheffield, via Cragg Vale.

Anyone interested in volunteering for any of the three stages of the race while it is in England can register at www.letouryorkshire.com/volunteer before the deadline of December 31.

The short section within Rochdale is the only part of the first two days of the tour not in Yorkshire.

The Tour De France, won in 2012 by Olympic star Sir Bradley Wiggins, last visited the UK in 2007 when London hosted the time trial and opening stage.