"Tour Series" Round 3 Woking

Woking Round Table were approached by Woking Borough Council to help out marshalling the Woking round of the "Tour Series" event. What a great day and event for Woking.

The Tour Series is a 10 round city centre cycling race series, which brings unique gladiatorial and exciting team racing to the streets near you. Round 3 was held in Woking with a 1.3km route with the start/finish line on Victoria Way (near the Fire Station).

The day started early for me as I had agreed to be one of the people to marshal the whole day and what a great day it was Smile I attended my marshal's briefing, collected my very bright marshal's bib jacket and then was sent to Mercia walk to assist the public whilst the in-town events were going on. There were numerous events happening throughout the day in the town with Bicycle Ballet and trials riding exhibitions in the Town Square to the Grandpa Spells jazz band playing in the Bandstand by Toys ‘R’ Us. A large range of bands all playing in support of CHASE hospice were also entertaining the crowds up near the train station.

I was then asked to marshal in the Toys ‘R’ Us car park whilst the race events were going on as this was a great vantage point from where you could see approx half of the course. There were numerous race events throughout the afternoon such as races for local school children and teachers there were competitors from Winston Churchill, Woking High and Barnsbury school all taking part. There was a race for local businesses and organisations which saw teams entered by Fidessa, the Post Office, Petrofac, CHASE and Business Link to name a few. The final event before the pro riders got on the circuit was a “free wheel” event which was open to the general public so they could see what the pro riders would be letting themselves in for.

The pro riders came out onto the circuit to warm up from 6pm(ish) and even on their warm up laps they seemed to be flying around the circuit I had a great view from where I was positioned as a marshal and you can see some of the pictures I took in the gallery (I only had my phone camera so sorry for the quality etc). The individual winning rider was Dean Downing and he is the current National criterium champion and he managed a very impressive average of 32 mph.

It was the first time I had ever watched a cycling event live or otherwise but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was exhausted when I got home from my 9+ hours on my feet but I can’t wait to see if the rumours of the “Tour Series” coming back to Woking next year are true and I am sure we will aid in marshalling again if it does.

If you want to find out more about the tour series then visit www.tourseries.co.uk

Lee