A real tour of force for Knutsford... (From Knutsford Guardian)

A real tour of force for Knutsford...

2:20pm Friday 31st August 2012 in News By James Wilson

KNUTSFORD people will be able to come out and cheer on Olympic gold medallist and Tour de France winner, Bradley Wiggins, as he cycles through the town as part of the Tour of Britain.

Wiggins, along with fellow Team GB cyclist and World Champion, Mark Cavendish, will be passing through the town, as well as Marthall, Ollerton and Chelford, on Monday, September 10, during the second stage of the race, which starts in Nottingham and ends in Knowsley.

The group of 100 cyclists will quickly descend into Cheshire East from the Peak District, passing through Gawsworth, Siddington, Marthall and Ollerton before a sprint stage in Chelford – the village where legendary British track cyclist, Reg Harris, is buried.

The race will then pass through Knutsford and High Legh before moving onto Warrington.

The cyclists are expected to make it to the borough by noon.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets to support the cyclists who have become household names over a summer of remarkable sporting achievement.

The Tour of Britain is a week-long event that starts on September 9.

Clr Rachel Bailey, cabinet member in charge of communities and regulatory services, said: “To have sporting stars such as Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish racing through Cheshire East so soon after the Olympics is excellent news, and I am sure people will come out and show their support.

“Cycling is an activity that is open to most people. and it has obvious health and environmental benefits “Hopefully, our current generation of children and young people will be inspired by our current crop of top cyclists and get on their bike.”

For more information go to tourofbritain.com.