The Etape Caledonia has been given backing from the man credited with sparking Britain’s soaring interest in cycling.
Olympic champion Chris Boardman has confirmed he will be returning for the 2017 event in Perthshire — because he loves it.
Boardman’s comments come as Etape organisers IMG face opposition from some locals over their proposals to extend the current route.
Event chiefs hope the well-established 81-mile route can be altered in 2017 to take in Ben Lawers.
However, the plan — which organisers stress is at a very early consultation stage — is already worrying some who fear extra disruption from the closed-road event.
Boardman, who led off the riders for the 2016 event, is already counting down the days until May and says everything about the event and its location is to be celebrated.
Boardman, whose individual pursuit gold in Barcelona in 1992 put British cycling on the map, paving the way for the likes of Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, said: “I love Scotland, the scenery, the right to roam in that landscape, the slower lifestyle …. everything about it.
“It’s how I came to ride the Etape Caledonia, which gave me a reason to come and experience all of those things with thousands of like-minded people.”
He added: “Pitlochry, a beautiful and hospitable town, is the perfect base for an event like this.
“I didn’t get involved for business reasons — I got involved because I love it and have ridden it twice.
“I’ll keep coming back as long as I’m able.”
