City gearing up for arrival of bike Tour of Britain
OLYMPIC gold medallists Bradley Wiggins and Ed Clancy are among 100 cyclists preparing to race across North Staffordshire in this year's Tour of Britain.
They are part of the field which heads to Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday for the third successive year.
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SADDLE UP: From left, Port Vale players Adam Yates and Tommy Fraser join Lord Mayor Denver Tolley as the city prepares to host The Tour Of Britain. Below, Team Sky leader Bradley Wiggins pictured during this summer's Tour de France. Picture: Mark Scott
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SADDLE UP: From left, Port Vale players Adam Yates and Tommy Fraser join Lord Mayor Denver Tolley as the city prepares to host The Tour Of Britain. Below, Team Sky leader Bradley Wiggins pictured during this summer's Tour de France. Picture: Mark Scott
Thousands of people are expected to line the route for the second stage of the 2010 tour which will see the cyclists race through all six of Stoke-on-Trent's towns for the first time.
They will leave Market Place, at Burslem, at 10.15am and pass along Scotia Road, Cobridge Road and London Road.
They will then head towards Stone on the A34 and travel through Leek and several Moorlands villages before coming back towards the city. The race then passes through Barlaston, Dresden and Fenton before reaching the finish line outside Hanley Town Hall at about 2pm.
The race will be started by Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor Denver Tolley and Port Vale stars Adam Yates and captain Tommy Fraser.
Mr Tolley said: "I've watched the last two races when they came to the city and the atmosphere was fantastic.
"It's great to bring such an international event like this to Stoke-on-Trent for the third time and we hope thousands of people will turn out to support the cyclists.
"We want to promote the area as a cycling city and having something like this on our doorstep can only be a good thing."
Midfielder Fraser, aged 22, said: "I've been told about 3,000 people turned out to watch the race last year so it would be fantastic to see that many people again or maybe even more."
Defender Yates, aged 27, who attended Painsley Catholic College, in Cheadle, said: "Being a local lad, it's great to see this sort of event come to the city. I'm looking forward to starting it."
The eight-stage Tour of Britain starts in Rochdale on Saturday, before finishing in London the following weekend.
The Stoke-on-Trent stage is exactly 100 miles long to reflect the city's ongoing centenary celebrations.
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5 Comments
by gaz, Bradwell
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:35PM
“With a bit of engineered traffic chaos, as per usual, and all leave cancelled for the traffic wardens, the council could do well on this! As a PR note, take a look at the picture then read Mr Tolley`s quote."We want to promote the area as a cycling city and having something like this on our doorstep can only be a good thing." . How about Mr Tolley doing a lap? Now that would generate a crowd.”
by Stan, Hanley
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 8:26PM
“I see some typical comments from Stokes typical unfit fatties.Get out on a bike and change other peoples perceptions of Stoke as being a town full of lethargic fatsos, you may actually enjoy it.
Vive le tour!”
by D STOKES, STOKE
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 1:35PM
“Much as I hate his politics Denver shows us the way to go with his physique. I hate these fit cyclists and their ridiculous lycra. Fit people should be banned, vote BNP.”
by Ian, Fegg Hayes
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 12:13PM
“It's a good job this race is on a Sunday and not Saturday because of all the disruption it causes.
How does it benefit the good residents of Stoke on TrentI be to ask " put us on the map for being a cycle friendly city" what a joke that is.
This is a minority sport and always will be especially if it only attracts 3000 spectators, just an utter waste of tax payers money by this "out of touch" council”
by Dave, Trentham
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 10:44AM
“Despite all the usual criticism of our City Council, we should on this occassion be congratulating them on once again attracting the Tour to the City.
No doubt we will have the usual moaners, complaining about shut off roads and traffic diversions. Just put up with it for a few hours. This is an event that benefits the City.”