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CHINA - Shanghai
Extend Formula One Deal
Formula One’s Chinese Grand Prix will be
held in Shanghai until at least 2017, after a
new contract was agreed.
According to media reports the deal was
reached after F1 bosses agreed to charge
a reduced rate to host the race at the loss-
making track. Organisers have said they
will now cut ticket prices and address other
problems that have led to the poor attendances
and consequent loss of revenue.
Formula One debuted at the Shanghai circuit
in 2004, but has seen attendances drop from
270,000 spectators in 2005 to 155,000 last
season.
Scottish Mountain Biking
SCOTLAND - Bid for
2017 Tour de France Stage
The 2017 Tour de France could be taking off
from Glasgow or Edinburgh, if Scotland’s bid
is successful.
EventScotland is hoping to secure the
opportunity to host the Grand Départ of the
world’s most prestigious cycling event by 2013.
EventScotland is already hosting two other
prestigious sporting events - the Ryder Cup at
Gleneagles and the Glasgow Commonwealth
Games, both in 2014 - and is keen to hold
further major competitions.
The national events agency will face stiff
competition from countries such as Japan, the
US and several countries in the Middle East.
However, Paul Bush, chief operating officer of
EventScotland is confident about Scotland’s
bid.
He said: “TheTour deFrance is an obvious fit for
Scotland.Wecancertainlyoperate it logistically,
we’ve got a fantastic cycling heritage, we’ve
had fantastic cycling performances in the last
few years and in terms of visual pictures for
the Tour and challenges for the riders, it would
be absolutely outstanding.”
With two prominent sporting events under its
belt, it would further raise Scotland’s profile if
the country’s bid is successful.
England previously hosted the Grand Départ
in 1974, 1994 and 2007 and Ireland in 1988.
Although EventScotland’s bid could cost
an estimated £5 million, the agency hopes
the impact the event had on London will be
repeated north of the border, bringing in around
£100 million over the three or four days.
Scotland’s most prestigious cyclists, Sir Chris
Hoy, has give his support to EventScotland’s
decision to bid for the opening stage. He said:
“I think it’s a great idea. It would be amazing to
have the Tour on Scottish soil.
This year’s Tour de France will start on 2 July
at the Vendée in France for the fifth time,
returning to its home country after last year’s
Grand Depart in Rotterdam.
Insight
In many ways Scotland is the perfect country for
adventure tourism. Its relatively low population means
that there are many isolated regions for adventurous
sports people to explore, while its size and proximity to
England make it very accessible.
Mountain biking is a sport particularly well suited to
the hills and valleys of Scotland. The range of paths
available to enthusiasts is ever increasing and allows a
great range and levels of difficulty.
While the potential of the area for adventure tourism is
clear, the risks involved in mountain biking in Scotland
should not be under estimated. The Scottish highland
are famous for their violent changes in weather
conditions, where storms are frequent and a mild and
sunny day can turn into a maelstrom in the blink of an
eye.
Add to that the inherent risk of biking along the sides of
high canyons and down steep ravines and you have a
potentially hazardous situation. Moreover, what makes
the remoteness of some of the regions so appealing for
riders makes it difficult to get help when required.
Naturally, these risks are part of the fun for the sport’s
growing number of enthusiasts. Reflecting on one
ride, featured in the Mountain Biking Scotland blog,
Tony Haresign says “Are we mad? Maybe, but it was a
different reaction as we returned soaked and grinning
ear to ear. Everyone wishing the light would last a
little longer and we had an inexhaustible supply of dry
cycling gear”. Clearly the dangers of the sport are part
of its attraction.
To help mitigate some of the risks, the Scottish Forestry
Commission designed a colour code for labelling
tracks. It ranges from the blue track for novices to the
ominous black tracks for the elite. On the black trails
steep gradients and unforeseeable obstacles can
make the going tough.
Most committed bikers are aware of the dangers and
use correct protective clothing, helmets and goggles
being supplemented by protective clothing. The
Forestry Commission also encourages riders to be
prepared for changes in the weather and to map out
their route and make the relevant authorities aware of
their itinerary before riding.
Last year Fort William hosted the UCI Mountain Bike
World Cup, its lofty peaks a perfect terrain for the event
which started in 1989. In the downhill event the riders
“dropped 555m down the 2.8km boulder-strewn course,
cheered on by thousands of spectators, to finish at the
bottom gondola station at the Nevis Range.”
There are also awards for cross-country, marathon and
dual slalom.
Mountain biking in Scotland is a thrilling sport where
the scenery is matched to the thrills of speed and
endurance.