News
Tour de France boosts cyclist numbers travelling from Poole to Cherbourg
“I’ve no doubt that many cyclists were inspired by this year’s tour and the beautiful coverage of the Cherbourg peninsula”
Brittany Ferries today reports a 27% year-on-year rise in the number of bikes carried on its service operating between Poole and Cherbourg.
So far this year 1,458 bikes have been taken on the Barfleur, compared with just 1,147 for the same period last year. The rise is being attributed to the Tour de France effect and Brittany Ferries expects further growth to come following Team GB success on two wheels at the Rio Olympics
On 3 July this year, the peloton arrived in Cherbourg at the end of day two of this year’s Tour de France. Athletes were met by huge crowds, including those who had travelled with Brittany Ferries from Poole on Barfleur, as well as from Portsmouth on the company’s high-speed craft Normandie Express.
“I’ve no doubt that many cyclists were inspired by this year’s tour and the beautiful coverage of the Cherbourg peninsula,” said Mike Bevens group commercial director. “I hope that success in Rio will provide a further incentive for those seeking empty roads in a country where cycling is a way of life.”
The “La Manche” region of Normandie was host for this year’s Tour de France Grand Depart. Riders set off from the Mont St Michel on July 2, arriving at Utah Beach. On day two, the peloton headed north from St Lo to Cherbourg, then departed Granville and headed south, out of the region on day three.
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About Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries is a passenger car and freight service operating from eleven ports, linking four countries: UK – France, UK – Spain and Ireland – France. The company was set up by a collective of French farmers as a freight-only operator, running from Roscoff in Brittany to Plymouth with the first crossing taking place on 1 January 1973, the date the United Kingdom joined the EEC (forerunner to the EU).
The aim then was to bring French agricultural products to a wider British market. However, the service quickly developed into an operation carrying hundreds of thousands of British tourists, eager to experience the delights of Brittany and Normandy. Today Brittany Ferries is the market leader on the Western Channel for passengers and for freight. It is also a leading supplier of ferry-inclusive motoring holidays to France and Spain. Further information can be found by visiting: www.brittanyferries.com.
Contact:
Christopher Jones on 02392 402 965 or 07917 540 878 or [email protected]
Nigel Wonnacott on 02392 402 943 or 07833 446 729 or [email protected]