Cycling stars launch National Cycle Road Race

The launch will take place on Saturday 20 February  at 12.30 pm in Roughlee Village Centre. Their visit is four months ahead of the main event, as organisers talk with residents and fine-tune plans for the exciting 2010 Championships to be held in Pendle on Sunday 27th June.

The event will attract Britain's best cyclists and will be a vital test for them in the run up to the Tour de France which follows straight after this National Championship.

Earby-based market-leading holiday accommodation provider Cottages4you has just announced that they are sponsoring this high profile event.

Cyclists at the February launch will include Olympic gold medallist and record breaking cyclist Chris Boardman.

He'll be riding the National Road Race circuit around Barley with veteran Pete Matthews.

Pete, who was the national champion in 1968, also designed one of Chris Boardman's top bikes and is still the national champion in his over 65s age group.

Pendle's own leading cyclist, Paul Oldham from Trawden, will also be riding the new 7.5 mile route which starts and finishes in Barley village.

They will be joined by Tony Hewson, author and pioneer British rider in the Tour de France, and Alan Gornall, a previous Commonwealth Games Gold Medal-winning cyclist who now lives in Barnoldswick.

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

"This is a fantastic opportunity for some top British riders, past and present, to try out this new route ahead of the National Championship in June.

"The races this summer will bring a much needed boost to our tourism economy, helping many local businesses in Barley, Roughlee and Newchurch and right across Pendle."

Leader of the Council, Councillor John David said:

"Tourism is worth over £77 million to Pendle already - yet so many people say they haven't heard of our beautiful corner of England.

"This is our chance to put the area on the map.

"There will be television coverage and people will be able to see for themselves what a wonderful area Pendle is.

"The race will take place around the villages that regularly pick up best kept villages awards."

He added:

"Although this will be a major event for Pendle, I am concerned that some residents will be very considerably inconvenienced.

"It is our job to plan for and deal with these problems. We will certainly treat these difficulties very seriously so that the event will be as enjoyable as possible and free from hassle for local people.

"Residents can call us on 01282 661661 with any questions or concerns."

Geoff Cowley, Managing Director of event sponsors Cottages4you, said:

"As a leading provider of holiday accommodation based in Pendle, we're proud to be supporting this national event which is coming to our area.

"It will certainly support rural businesses including many of our self catering cottage businesses.

"We're passionate about cycling and about Pendle - it promises to be an exhilarating weekend for residents and visitors alike."

And don't forget the National Cyclo-Sportive event which will take place on Saturday 26th June, the day before the big race.

It will give amateur cyclists the chance to try out some of the route the professionals will ride the following day.

Both races offer cyclists the perfect weekend in the area - to ride through some of the best countryside in England then watch the country's best cyclists!

There's plenty of accommodation available locally - look on www.visitpendle.com to see the range of accommodation available.

For more information about the cycling events, you can visit - www.pendlebikefest.com or www.pennineevents.co.uk.