Colne gets set to welcome its 7th Grand Prix cycle race

If you fancy watching some of Britain's elite cyclists battle it out at top speed, then Colne is the place to be on Wednesday 14 July from 7pm.  

The Grand Prix is part of British Cycling's National Circuit Race Series.  

An annual fixture in the town's events calendar, it attracts some of the country's best cyclists.  

Thousands of spectators flock to Colne to watch them battle it out to the finish line.  

The race is held over 60 laps of an 800 metre circuit around the town centre, starting and finishing outside the library in Market Street. 

Pendle Council's Regeneration Director Brian Cookson, who is also President of British Cycling, said:  

"It's only last week that we saw top male and female cyclists battle it out in the exciting National Road Race Championships in Pendle.  

"If you caught some of the action of that event and enjoyed it, why not come and support some of our local riders in the exhilarating Colne Grand Prix?  

"You never know, you could spot some 2012 Olympic champions of the future!"

Councillor Mike Blomeley, Leader of Pendle Council, said:  

"The Colne Grand Prix is the fastest and most exciting sporting event in Colne.  

"We're delighted to welcome the UK's top racing cyclists for the seventh year since the Grand Prix began. 

"Come along to watch and you'll experience the thrills and spills of street racing as Olympic and World champions battle it out on 60 laps of the 800 metre street circuit." 

Local riders taking part in this year's race include 2008 Colne Grand Prix winner Ian Wilkinson from Barnoldswick and Paul Oldham from Trawden. 

Ian, who became North West Regional Champion in May, should be a hot favourite for the race.  

Ian said:  

"It's always well supported and having won it before it's going to be my aim to win that race again - riding in a new team for Endura. 

This year's Colne Grand Prix is being sponsored by Barnfield Construction.  

Tim Webber, Barnfield's Managing Director, said:  

"We are proud to be part of this great cycling event. 

"The Barnfield Construction Colne Grand Prix is sure to attract positive interest from all over the North West, which can only be a good thing for Pendle's economy." 

Local florists Going Dutch are another of the race's sponsors - they're providing bouquets for the winners. 

Going Dutch's Janet Boast said:  

"We're delighted as always to support the podium bouquets.  

"Colne Grand Prix is bang in the middle of the Tour de France so yellow sunflowers will do the trick." 

Vaughan Jones, Pendle Council's Tourism Manager, said:  

"We're looking forward to welcoming the Grand Prix to Colne once again.  

"It's a fantastic event which attracts thousands of visitors to the town every year, giving our local economy a fantastic boost.  

"Following hot of the heels of last week's National Road Race, Pendle really does have a dose of cycling fever!" 

For more information, visit the Pendle CycleFest Website.