Cycle race circus of thrills!

Residents planting hanging baskets and pots

There will be a full day of cycling thrills for all ages and abilities when the Halfords Tour comes to town tomorrow.

The Johnson Health Tech Women’s Grand Prix Series, which will hit the local streets for the first time from 4.30pm, and the tour itself at 7pm, will be the finale to a day of fast-paced events.

But before the racing begins the Halfords Hub Arena, based in front of the market hall, will have entertainment from 1pm.

Triple world champion Ben Savage will show his tricks and flips as he tackles the VooDoo Bikes Stunt Rig — then offer locals coaching tips.

Halfords cycle mechanics will also offer maintenance advice.

A giant air bag will be set up on Clegg Street car park from 2pm to enable cyclists to learn tricks on their bikes in safety, helped by coaches.

The professional race circuit will also host a series of local competitions on the day.

They include: Wheels For All (1.40-1.50pm) Four pupils from New Bridge School will be compete on specially adapted bikes powered by hand-cranks with two riders sat side by side.

Heats have been taking place over the last few weeks to determine the two fastest bikes to compete in the final that will be run along a 200m section of the circuit.

The winner will receive a trophy presented by Kevin Lanham, Wheels For All co-ordinator from the Alexandra Park-based project.

A Rock and Road Schools Competition (2–2.50pm) The project, which began last year, is in two parts: Road is a bikeability cycle training course to give pupils the necessary skills to cycle on the road.

Rock is a series of mountain bike skills sessions aimed to develop the pupil’s sporting abilities. Pupils from secondary schools across the borough have been invited to put forward teams to compete in the Oldham Cycling Schools Competition.

Each school will be represented by three pupils and each pupil will cycle once round the circuit, with a prize for the fastest individual and a school trophy for the fastest combined time.

The winning trophy will be presented by young Oldham Olympic hopeful Jake Ragan.

Oldham Team Cycling Competition (2.55-3.15pm) For Oldham-based organisations, including local businesses, public services and charities, the fun activity will showcase cycling abilities — good or bad!

Each organisation will to put forward three members to compete in a two lap competition around the circuit.

Cycle Clubs Competition (3.20pm – 4pm) Cycle clubs from across Oldham and Greater Manchester will take part in a three lap challenge around the circuit. It’s a chance for local cyclists to experience the thrill of the race circuit and the crowds, for both on-road and off-road cycles.

Then Mandy Jones, a world champion road racer from 1982, will hand out the women’s grand prix trophy, before the men hit the streets for round six of the Halfords Tour, from 7pm.

Oldham’s Chris Newton, a multiple world champion and Olympic silver medallist, will present the winner’s medal.

Councillor Jim McMahon, leader of Oldham Council, said: “The involvement of local people on the day will make it a real community event.

“I’m expecting a great, festival atmosphere in the town centre.”

Mandy, who is also owner of Surosa Cycles on Huddersfield Road, said: “Cycling fans and newcomers to the sport will be able to see professional racing up close. It will help raise the profile of cycling in Oldham.”

Those who may want a break from all the cycling activities in the town centre on the day can hit the shops as many will be open until 8.30pm.

For more information on the Tour and the Oldham leg of the event visit: www.tourseries.co.uk, www.oldham.gov.uk or www.visitoldham.com