Top cyclists announced & video launched – Pendle gears up for Tour of Britain Stage 2

Pendle is gearing up for Stage Two of the Aviva Tour of Britain which will power through the borough on Monday September 7 from 1.50 pm in Barnoldswick to a dramatic finish in Colne at around 3.20pm.

Tour de France Champion and winner of the 2013 Tour of Britain, Sir Bradley Wiggins, will be racing and leading his own Team WIGGINS for their first appearance.

Other top riders in the international line-up include stage winner Mark Cavendish, who’s raced at the Colne Grand Prix and in the National Road Race 2010 held in Pendle.

Tour of Britain Stage 2 Clitheroe to Colne will be shown live on ITV4 with three hours of coverage and ITV4 will show a one hour highlights programme on Monday evening.

British Eurosport will show live coverage and highlights in over 100 countries around the world and organisers anticipate that over 200 million viewers will see the Tour of Britain race.

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal said:
“We’re picking up a fast pace as the race gets closer to ensure everyone has Monday 7th September in their diary for the UK’s biggest cycling event.

“It’s free to spectate so don’t miss it!” He added.

 “The Sprints and King of the Mountains offer some of the most exciting places to watch the race so get your place early!” He advised.

A new video showing the race route with commentary by top UK cyclist Ian Wilkinson from Pendle, has been commissioned by Pendle and Ribble Valley Councils.

It can be seen on www.tourofbritainstage2.co.uk and features gruelling King of the Mountain stages at the Nick O’Pendle and Bleara Moor, Earby.

Top UK cyclist Paul Oldham from Pendle said:

“The beauty of the Pendle part of Stage2 is that you could see the race three or four times!”
Details of the race, including where the cyclists will be and when, plus all three King of the Mountain stages and Sprints can be found on www.tourofbritainstage2.co.uk

The website also includes a map and information on road closures and details on parking and spectator hubs. 

Nelson Town Council is organising a Fun Day from 11am – 4pm including a Bling Your Bike competition for children.

Colne Town Council will have a food court in Richmond Court opposite the market and there’ll be entertainment including buskers and balloon modelling.

There’ll be big screens in Colne inside the Muni and outside the Town Hall where people can see all the action from Clitheroe to Colne ahead of the final finish by St Bartholomew’s Church, Colne.

The main road through Colne town centre will be completely closed to traffic from 5am – 9pm for the big race.

Elsewhere there’ll be rolling road closures as top cycling teams from around the world race through towns and villages across Pendle, including Barnoldswick, Earby, Barrowford, Barley, Brierfield, Nelson and Colne.

Pendle residents are being warned about road closures and to expect delays and are being advised to plan their route allowing extra time on the day.

Pendle Council’s refuse and recycling collectors will be starting extra early to get ahead of the cyclists.

Extra crews will be working on the day and we’re asking residents, whose normal collection day is Monday, to put their refuse and recycling out by 6.30am.