Let’s Raleigh behind our big-race riders

OLDHAM’S team . . . the borough is backing Team Raleigh

OLDHAM will be backing one of the biggest and best-known names in cycling when a prestigious race comes to the borough.

The Chronicle reported yesterday how the Halfords Tour Series 2011 will take place in Oldham town centre for the first time next Thursday with 50 professional riders from across the globe competing and thousands expected to line the streets to watch.

Each of the towns hosting the eight-round race has been allocated a set of riders to support with Oldham backing Team Raleigh.

The team’s star rider is Liam Holohan, who was a leading contestant in the 2010 Boardman Bikes Sprints competition. His teammates bring international flair to the occasion, including American’s Phil Mooney and Ryan Parnes, Canadian Jamie Sparling, Dutchman Jeroen Janssen and Frenchman Gael Le Bellec. Manager Cherie Pridham said: “Team Raleigh is hoping Oldham will get behind us.

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

Olympic, Commonwealth and elite national riders will also take to the starting positions at 7pm, including Olympic champion Ed Clancy and London 2012 hopefuls Andy Tennant and Steven Burke.

The 11/2-km circuit will take in High Street, Henshaw Street, St Mary’s Way, and the top of Yorkshire Street.

Round three of the Johnson Health Tech Women’s Grand Prix Series will be held at 5pm, two hours before the big race. Oldham Council has worked alongside the Oldham Business Improvement District (BID) to bring the Halfords Tour Series to the borough.

BID chairman Paul Hughes, also owner of Zutti Co on Yorkshire Street, said: “The BID is very excited at the prospect of professional cyclists racing on the streets of Oldham — may the best team win!”

Highlights of the event will be broadcast on ITV4 the next day at 8pm.



Your chance to start the big races!
The Halfords Tour Series are looking for someone specal to start their big races.

To be in with a chance of being a celebrity for a night — the big race is televised on ITV4 the following day — send us, on a postcard (in no more than 50 words) why you should wave off the top riders on June 9 along with your names, age, address and contact telephone number.

The winner, chosen by our independent panel, will receive a couple of tickets to the Halfords hospitality suite as well as be centre-stage for the big-race starts.

Send them to editorial@oldham-chronicle.co.uk putting HALFORDS TOUR SERIES in the subject.

Entries must be received by noon on Monday, June 6 and the winner will be notified the next day.

The winner must be available on Thursday, June 9 between 4.30 and 7.30pm to perfom the flag-wave starts.