Gearing up to race top cyclist

11:24am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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CYCLISTS from Pendle are gearing up to compete against a national champion in a popular annual event.

Members of Pendle Forest Cycling Club will race against newly-crowned national road race champion Rob Hayles in the Colne Grand Prix around the town centre on Wednesday, July 16.

The event, part of the National Elite series, kicks off with a support race at 7pm, before the elite cyclists take to the track around 7.40pm.

They will compete for an hour, taking in 60 laps of the 800m route around the town centre’s one-way system.

Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets to catch a glimpse of local GB international riders, including Paul Oldham, from Trawden, and Ian Wilkinson, from Barnoldswick.

The event is organised by Pendle Council, Pennine Events Limited and Cycling Development North West as part of the Pendle Bike Fest, sponsored by Cottages 4 You of Earby.

It is also supported by Barnfield Construction.

Marketing manager from Cottages 4 You, Mike Dean, said: “We hope that once again people from far and wide will come and either watch some of the best riders in the country compete in challenging races, or take part in the Pendle Pedal or the Freedom Rides, or simply be entertained at the Pendle Cycle Show.”