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Organisers of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain have today launched a new competition to look for the best ‘land art’ alongside the route of this year’s 1,140-kilometre event.
The tradition of creating so-called ‘land art’ along the route has been a common practice at the OVO Energy Tour of Britain for many years – as with other cycle races around the world. Community groups, schools, businesses and land owners across Britain will be encouraged to take part in the competition during the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, which takes place from Sunday the second to Sunday the ninth of September, and visits South Wales, the West Country, Warwickshire, Cumbria and Nottinghamshire before the final stage in Central London.
"We are delighted to be adding this land art competition to the ways that communities across the country can get involved in the race this September," said OVO Energy Tour of Britain race director Mick Bennett.
"Last year’s Nottinghamshire stage in particular saw several fantastic examples of land art created by community groups, and this has inspired us to encourage people across the route this year to show their support and get creative. Over the coming weeks, we will see countless examples of land art during the Tour de France, which will inspire people’s creativity."
A panel comprising Mick Bennett, the ITV4 presenting and commentary team and representatives from race organisers SweetSpot will decide the top three pieces of art at the end of this year’s event. The winner will receive a trophy and commemorative Tour of Britain prizes, presented in person by race director Mick Bennett, while the runner-up and third-place finisher will also take home trophies for their efforts.
Commenting on the announcement, Des Allen the Nottinghamshire farmer whose sheep-based land art went viral on social media during the 2017 OVO Energy Tour of Britain, added: "We were staggered by the response that our small efforts received last year. We did it as a bit of fun and the response was fantastic. I would urge people to have a go; from a little bit of effort it is sometimes amazing the response you receive."
