CYCLING fever cranks up a gear next week as the Colne Grand Prix gets under way on Wednesday.

Excitement has been building across East Lancashire for months in preparation for the Aviva Tour of Britain Stage 2 which passes through Ribble Valley and Pendle on September 7.

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As a prelude to the major sporting event, world champions and the UK’s top cyclists will be battling it out in the twelfth annual Welcome Cottages Colne Grand Prix on Wednesday night.

Pendle’s Ian Wilkinson, leader of the international Team Raleigh, will be among the racers taking part in the event through Colne’s historic town centre – a race he won seven years ago.

“The crowd around the circuit for the Colne Grand Prix has grown every year and it’s one of the best on the whole UK elite circuit series. I’m looking forward to it – it’s going to be good!” Ian said.

Yesterday the event sponsors were announced, Marsden Building Society, Fort Vale and the return of headline sponsor Welcome Cottages who are also funding the Tour of Britain Stage 2.

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, Pendle Council leader, said: “We’re delighted Colne Grand Prix night races are sponsored by local companies. All three sponsors have a great reputation and a passion for cycling!”

Nick Rudge, managing director of Welcome Cottages, said: “We’ve been the headline sponsor of the Colne Grand Prix for the last seven years and are proud to support this exciting race. We’ve lots of very keen cyclists at our company and the Colne Grand Prix is one of the highlights of our year. It’s great to be part of its success!” he said.

This year’s Colne Grand Prix night includes a new race, the Future Stars, letting young riders from across Pennine Lancashire to compete on the circuit for the first time.

Rob Pheasey, chief executive of Marsden Building Society, said: “We’re keen to support young riders in Pendle and that’s why we’ve teamed up with Cycle Sport Pendle to create a new race on Colne Grand Prix night.”

The races start at 6.30pm for young regional riders, then at 7.15pm there will be a sprint race for up-and-coming riders and the elite riders’ race start at 8.15pm.

All the events are organised by Cycle Sport Pendle, Pendle Council, British Cycling and supported by Colne Town Council.

For the first time this year Pendle Cycling Festival includes the national Tour of Britain Stage 2 cycle race on Monday, September 7 which finishes in Colne.