One of the world’s top cycling events, such as the Tour de France, could eventually come through the area if Powys County Council has its way.
The council has welcomed plans by the Welsh Government to lobby for more major sporting events to come to Wales and is understood to be attempting to get one of the Grand Tour professional cycling races into Wales, such as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana.
The Tour de France had its opening stage in Yorkshire two years ago.
Newtown has already played host to the Tour of Britain on several occasions, as well as having the rave pass through it in recent years.
It is also home to one of the service stages of the Wales Rally GB.
The efforts to bring one of the Grand Tour races to Wales is being supported by the council with its Leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, expressing her desire for any race to come through Powys if it is hosted in the country.
“The Welsh Government has had great success in attracting some of the world’s biggest sporting events to Wales in recent years. It is only right that they continue to attract major sporting events to the country,” said Cllr Harris.
“Grand Tour cycling events would be a massive coup for the country so I welcome the Welsh Government’s attempts to bring one of these prestigious races to Wales.
“Powys would be an ideal county for any Grand Tour to come through with our outstanding scenery and challenging landscapes. Our county is earning itself a fantastic reputation for hosting and staging major events.
“We already have a proven track record in hosting major cycling events before including the Tour of Britain. We are proud to have hosted a stage start of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race five times and a race finish for the first time last year.
“We will continue to support the Welsh Government’s efforts to bring a Grand Tour race to the country and, if successful, I hope that Powys can play some part if Wales are given the opportunity to host one of these special sporting events.”
Photo: One of the Tour of Britain stage starts in Newtown (©Owain Betts)