AN Olympic gold medallist will fly the the flag to open a town’s 15th Grand Prix.
Thousands of cycling fans will line Colne's streets for the 2018 Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix, which will be launched by Colne cycling star Steven Burke on Wednesday, July 25.
Mr Burke said he was ‘proud’ the town was hosting the Grand Prix again after falling in love with cycling soon after attending the town’s first Grand Prix in 2003.
He said: “Of course I’m proud that Colne is hosting the Grand Prix again, it’s great that my home town has fallen in love with cycling so much and it’s great that it attracts so many people to the town.”
Mr Burke joined employees and directors from Fort Vale as well as Paul Foxley, chair of Colne Town Council at the engineering company’s Simonstone site to launch the event.
Cllr Foxley said: “Our town really is on the up and it’s great to have the chance to welcome thousands of visitors to Colne to see it first hand."
Fort Vale has taken over the headline sponsorship of the event for the first time having previously sponsored the support race.
Shaun Laycock, general manager of Fort Vale, said: “Colne is the toughest race in the National Circuit Series, which will make it a fantastic event. We’re proud to be associated with it.”
The event is scheduled to take place in Colne from 6.15pm.
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