Communities have to win from hosting race
Etape bosses warned
The organisers of the Etape Caledonia cycle race have been told they must make sure communities benefit from the event.
Councillors on the environment and infrastructure committee this week questioned the benefits for many Highland towns and villages.
However, they agreed to increase the length of the race by four miles to 85 and to have a shorter 40 miles race available.
Cllr Mike Williamson, who represents Highland Perthshire, said organisers IMG had not enjoyed a good relationship with the residents affected by the race and more needed to be done to ensure communities benefit from the race and to make sure it works for everyone.
Cllr Dave Doogan added: “I am not assured by the discussions we have here about community benefit but we are better with this in Perthshire than without it so this has secured broad support.
“I know a lot of people feel this is an external company that comes into the area and creates upheaval and then leaves without as much as a backwards glance but I hope it will remain sustainable for a number of years.”
Etape Caledonia is one of the most challenging endurance cycling events in the country.
It starts and finishes in Pitlochry and takes in some of the most picturesque sights in the Highland Perthshire area including Schiehallion, Loch Tummel and Loch Rannoch.
The new route will include a loop towards Trinafour after Tummel Bridge with riders returning on the B847 and joining the B846 towards Kinloch Rannoch.
The 40 mile option will be contained within the full circuit and use the B846 between Tummel Bridge and Loch Kinardochy, where cyclists will rejoin the main circuit. The Etape Caledonia will be four miles longer Mikael Buck