THE Chorley GP cycle race could feature the first British outing for Team Wiggins when the inaugural event takes place in April.

Team Wiggins, which includes East Lancashire cycling star Steven Burke, have yet to confirm their race schedule but they look set to debut on these shores in Chorley on April 4.

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Should that be the case the team will not include Wiggins, who does not join the squad from Team Sky until the end of April but could include Olympic champion Burke.

The Chorley GP will be the opening round of the British Cycling Elite Road Series and organisers believe the 100-mile route, using part of the course from the 2002 Commonwealth Games road race, will be a huge success.

It is also hoped the event could spark a Tour of Lancashire event in years to come similar to the Tour of Yorkshire which will run in May this year on the back of the county’s successful hosting of the start of the 2014 Tour de France.

British Cycling’s director of cycle sport and membership, Jonny Clay, said: “We are all excited to welcome in the new British Cycling Elite Road season and the anticipation is only increased with new location Chorley set to host the opening round.

“The region has a proud cycle sport history and I’m very hopeful that the Chorley Grand Prix could lead the way to the creation of a Tour of Lancashire in future seasons. However, for now I am simply excited about 2015 and the racing that is going to take place.

“The appetite for top-level domestic racing has rarely been higher in this country and I’m very confident that the upcoming season will continue to increase competition and conditions for riders, while also entertaining new and existing fans of the sport.”

The Chorley GP will start and finish on Park Road in the town centre and the circular route, which the riders will tackle five times, will go through Rivington, Withnell, Brinscall, Wheelton and Buckshaw Village before heading back into the town centre.

Rolling road closures will be in place to ensure minimal disrution to traffic and the race is also set to be screened live on Eurosport.

Leader of Chorley Council, Councillor Alistair Bradley, jopes the event will attract a large crowd. People in Chorley have embraced cycling in recent years, particularly since the Manchester Commonwealth Games route was hosted in the borough,” he said.

“This enthusiasm has been reflected in the numbers of people, hundreds of them, who have taken part in our ‘Sky Rides’ which we launched last year with British Cycling.

“Hosting this elite event will top off what has been a brilliant few years for cycling and will certainly put Chorley on the map. We’re delighted to have the first Elite Series race of the new season and it should provide a boost to the local economy with lots of visitors coming to watch the race.”