What's on: Tour of Britain cycling race (From Lancashire Telegraph)

What's on: Tour of Britain cycling race

10:10am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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SOME of cycling’s leading international stars will be in East Lancashire this weekend as the Tour of Britain kicks off.

For the first time in four years, a stage of the cross-UK race will wind its way through the heart of our region.

The first 131km leg of the eight-stage tour on Saturday kicks off in Rochdale at 10.30am.

It then crosses the border into Rossendale at Whitworth, taking in parts of Bacup and Waterfoot, and surrounding villages, before heading to Burnley.

Once there, riders skirt over Crown Point, en route to Padiham, Simonstone, Read, Whalley and Waddington, mastering a climb through the Trough of Bowland before heading to the finish in Blackpool.

The newly-formed Sky sponsored team field a very strong squad led by Lancashire-based Bradley Wiggins, who won the British Time Trial Championship last Sunday putting some significant gaps into the domestic time trial specialists.

Our top two local professionals, Ian Wilkinson of the Endura team and Steven Burke of the Motorpoint team, are riding, with Wilkinson coming on the back of a great win last Saturday evening in the Shropshire town of Newport and held under street lighting in front of the biggest crowd at such a circuit race this year, while Burke will be making his debut in the Tour.

Other top riders in the big field include Scotland’s David Millar and up and coming Irishman Dan Martin, with both riding in the Garmin colours plus several of the continental stars.

Tourism leaders have said the race, the country’s answer to the Tour de France, will be a major boost to the area.

In July more than 2,000 people packed the town centre for British Cycling’s Colne Grand Prix in July; the UK Road Race Championships passed through Barley, Roughlee and Downham; and the Blackburn Grand Prix was held in the town centre.

Coun Mike Blomeley, Pendle council leader, said: “Cycling seems to have put Pendle on the map, with the grand prix and road race.

“It is amazing when you go around the borough how many people are getting on their bikes.

"It is absolutely tremendous that the tour is coming to East Lancashire.”

Coun Jason Gledhill, leisure cabinet member in Rossendale, said: “I am delighted that the Tour is coming through Rossendale.

“I hope that as many people as possible will come out to give the cyclists a hearty Rossendale cheer.”

Expected times

TOUR OF BRITAIN - STAGE ONE on Saturday, September 11 ROCHDALE TO BLACKPOOL (132.6km).

* Rochdale Town Centre 10.45am start
* Norden 10.50am
* Deerplay Moor 11.24am
* Rosegrove 11.30am
* Padiham 11.35am
* Whalley 11.47am
* Trough of Bowland 12.16pm
* Westfield Towers 12.29pm
* Cockerham 12.47pm
* Stalmine 1.05pm
* Blackpool Promenade 1.39pm finish

Click on the link below for the full stage map