Rider gear up for town

CYCLING
ALL eyes will be on Team Raleigh tomorrow when the Halfords Tour Series hits the streets of Oldham for the first time.

Each host town or city has been allocated a set of riders to get behind, and Oldham — the destination of round six — is sticking up for Liam Holohan’s side.

Cherie Pridham, Manager of Team Raleigh, said: “Team Raleigh is hoping that residents in our home town in The Halfords Tour Series, Oldham, will get behind us.

“The riders appreciate the support, which will keep us motivated throughout the race.”

Holohan and his team-mates have made a decent fist of their campaign so far. They occupy sixth place in the table, with 25 points to their name.

Holders and favourites Rapha Condor Sharp, who have 50 points, are currently top dogs after their riders won the opening four races.

Zak Dempster led the way for the team in Durham, Ed Clancy won in Aberystwyth, the Peterborough leg was claimed by Graham Briggs and Dean Downing clinched victory in Essex.

But Yorkshireman Scott Thwaites, of Endura Racing, broke the Rapha Condor Sharp monopoly with victory in round five in Stoke last night.

Hayfield cyclist Rob Hayles, also of Endura Racing, yet to take part in the series due to tonsillitis, has been ruled out of tomorrow’s event.

The Oldham stage, comprising a 1.5 miles circuit, starts and finishes in Town Square.

Local school children get the fun started at 1.30pm, with each of the sides involved in the race giving a lucky boy or girl the chance to become team mascot.

The pupil representing the successful team will join the winners on the podium.

Later in the afternoon New Bridge School students and children from schools from across the borough will get on their bikes and sample the circuit for themselves.

The Johnson Health Tech Women’s Grand Prix gets under way at 5pm, followed by Team Raleigh and co. two hours later.