Bike race tour bid

Oldham’s business leaders are being urged to help bring a top cycle event to the borough.

The well-established Halfords Tour series takes international and national cyclists to 10 towns in Britain each summer. The televised race series also means local people get to see 50 of the country’s top professional cyclists competing in teams at 10 races in May and June.

Businesses are still fundraising to bring the event to the borough and the appeal will be launched at a breakfast meeting tomorrow.

The race will be an integral part of the One Future Project which aims to ensure Oldham gets the most out of the 2012 Olympic Games and create a legacy for the borough by collaborating with the networks and contacts of the Oldham Business Leadership group.

The group is currently negotiating to bring the Halfords Tour, which culminates in a final race at Canary Wharf on June 25, to Oldham during the same month.

The event is not signed and sealed until funding is raised.

Event organisers will be available at the breakfast at Fresca Italian Restaurant in Delph, with details of sponsorship deals and marketing opportunities.

Anyone interested in attending can email June Smith, Oldham Council’s principal economic and business liaison officer at june.smith@oldham.gov.uk