| However, organisers IMG have promised not to be defeated by protesters who yesterday sought to put a stop to the event, held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Some competitors were sent tumbling and many others suffered punctures after hundreds of carpet tacks were strewn across almost five miles of Highland Perthshire roads.
A sold-out field of more than 3500 cyclists left Pitlochry around 8am to ride the 81-mile circuit.
However, chaos erupted as the field reached the halfway mark, between Innerhadden and Schiehallion.
It quickly became clear to organisers that they were dealing with a serious risk to participants’ safety and the race was held up for around an hour-and-a-half as marshalls and police officers swept the road.
Protesters unhappy with the road closures required to hold the annual event have been blamed for the action.
Today Provost John Hulbert said he believed they would not succeed in harming the event.
But he warned that they were endangering the region’s tourism industry at a critical time.
“We are in a recession, but the early signs are that Perth and Kinross is riding it quite well,” he said.
“We are not down on last year, and in fact some providers are doing even better.
“The reason for this has been events such as the Etape, the Blair Castle International Horse Trials, Perthshire Amber and the walking festivals.
“They have been the drivers behind this success in what is a very difficult time for the whole of Scotland.
“Despite that, here we have people attempting to sabotage that success.
“The tourist economy in Perthshire is doing pretty well and people like this put the whole thing at risk.”
“However, I cannot believe that this will result in the event being cancelled.
“I am sure that it will continue and I look forward to that happening.
“I am certain that the council will soon be meeting with IMG and local people to discuss plans for the next event.”
Event director Jon Hazan was also in positive spirits and promised the Etape would return “bigger and better” in 2010.
“People love visiting this area and I hope that they will be back next year for more,” he said.
Tayside Police said today inquiries were continuing into what it described as “reckless and irresponsible actions”.
Anyone who has information that could assist the investigation is asked to call Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222. |
