Safety 'is top priority' for controversial cycling race

THE organisers of the largest closed-road cycling event in Britain yesterday pledged to make the safety of participants their number one priority during this weekend's race in Highland Perthshire.

Last year's Etape Caledonia race was sabotaged when hundreds of carpet tacks were strewn along a five-mile stretch of the 81-mile route in an apparent protest against roads being closed during the event. A number of cyclists were injured as a result of the protest action.

This Sunday's race, which is being organised by sports management group IMG, has attracted a record entry of more than 4,500 cyclists.

Yesterday IMG issued a statement which the organisation proclaimed was aimed at tackling the safety fears of participants "head on".

Jon Hazan, the event director, said: "IMG would like to reassure cyclists that safety is our primary concern.

Over the last 12 months we have worked tirelessly with Tayside Police and Perth and Kinross Council to review our security activities in light of last year's incident, and to ensure they are enhanced and reinforced."