This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-33113259
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Velothon Wales cycle race: Tacks discovered on route | Velothon Wales cycle race: Tacks discovered on route |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Cyclists taking part in a major race in south Wales were forced to carry their bikes for a time after a small amount of tacks were discovered on the route. | Cyclists taking part in a major race in south Wales were forced to carry their bikes for a time after a small amount of tacks were discovered on the route. |
| Up to 15,000 riders are taking part in the Velothon Wales race through Cardiff, Newport, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly. | Up to 15,000 riders are taking part in the Velothon Wales race through Cardiff, Newport, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly. |
| There had been criticism of road closures, with claims businesses could lose thousands of pounds in trade. | There had been criticism of road closures, with claims businesses could lose thousands of pounds in trade. |
| Velothon Wales' event director said the area had been quickly cleared. | Velothon Wales' event director said the area had been quickly cleared. |
| Andy Taylor said: "We can confirm that a small amount of tacks were discovered at around 9.30am on isolated sections of the route at Belmont Road in Caerleon and 10.02am at High Street/New Road in Caerphilly. | Andy Taylor said: "We can confirm that a small amount of tacks were discovered at around 9.30am on isolated sections of the route at Belmont Road in Caerleon and 10.02am at High Street/New Road in Caerphilly. |
| "Fortunately, no accidents or injuries were caused and the affected areas were cleared within a few minutes." | "Fortunately, no accidents or injuries were caused and the affected areas were cleared within a few minutes." |
| Velothon rider Mark Tonkin, who travelled from Cornwall to take part in the race, said he witnessed a cyclist getting a punctured tyre from a tack. | |
| "A guy punctured on a downhill piece and he could have taken out 50 riders. They could have been in hospital," he said. | |
| Mr Tonkin said he could see why people might what to show they were "upset" about disruption the event caused. | |
| "But to throw tacks down, to endanger people's lives, is not the way to do it," he added. | |
| Cyclists and charity fundraisers from all over the UK and Europe are taking part in the event, which also includes a professional race. | Cyclists and charity fundraisers from all over the UK and Europe are taking part in the event, which also includes a professional race. |
| Earlier, race organisers said road closures meant motorists could face disruption but affected routes would be reopened on a rolling basis to ensure minimum disruption. | Earlier, race organisers said road closures meant motorists could face disruption but affected routes would be reopened on a rolling basis to ensure minimum disruption. |
| 'Good for business' | 'Good for business' |
| Amateur riders are taking on either a 140km (87-mile) or 50km (31-mile) route, whilst the professionals tackle a 194km (120-mile) route taking in Caerphilly mountain and The Tumble mountain in Abergavenny. | Amateur riders are taking on either a 140km (87-mile) or 50km (31-mile) route, whilst the professionals tackle a 194km (120-mile) route taking in Caerphilly mountain and The Tumble mountain in Abergavenny. |
| On Thursday, Velothon organisers admitted confusion over who had been consulted about the route, after Monmouth MP David Davies accused them of lying. | On Thursday, Velothon organisers admitted confusion over who had been consulted about the route, after Monmouth MP David Davies accused them of lying. |
| But while some have criticised the planning of the event, others have said it will be good for the area, including Cardiff where it starts and ends. | But while some have criticised the planning of the event, others have said it will be good for the area, including Cardiff where it starts and ends. |
| Mari Williams, of pro-cycling group Cardiff Cycling City, said: "It's great to see so much attention on cycling in Cardiff. We want Cardiff to be the best cycling city in the UK every day of the year. | Mari Williams, of pro-cycling group Cardiff Cycling City, said: "It's great to see so much attention on cycling in Cardiff. We want Cardiff to be the best cycling city in the UK every day of the year. |
| "A city that's good for cycling is good for business. Cycling to work boosts productivity, improves staff retention and reduces travel costs." | "A city that's good for cycling is good for business. Cycling to work boosts productivity, improves staff retention and reduces travel costs." |