Carnival on wheels
Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date published: 10 June 2011
OLDHAM became a wheel tour de force as cycling brought the community together and put the borough on the map.
Crowds flocked as Oldham town centre was turned into a spectacular race circuit for a series of contests yesterday before the main draw of the Halfords Tour Series 2011 and the Johnson Health Tech Women’s Grand Prix Series.
Oldham is the only town in the North-West hosting the event and the highlights will be broadcast on ITV4 tonight at 8pm.
But before the international cyclists whizzed round the streets there was a festival atmosphere as the town went bike crazy. The thunderstorms had cleared and the sun made an appearance.
The Halford Hub Arena was set up in front of the Market Hall where crowds were amazed by the tricks of triple world champion Ben Savage and double world champion James Hyland.
A giant air bag was created in Clegg Street car park with amateur daredevils queuing up to pull off backflips and air tricks with the comfort of a soft landing.
Jordan Tongue (17), from Springhead, showed off his skills and said: “It’s great as it stops you hurting yourself. It’s free and something different but there’s nowhere to ride around here. I would like to see something like this in a skatepark.”
There was also an abundance of stalls featuring exercise bikes, cycle equipment and clothing for sale, free cycle security marking and fitness activities.
Kicking off the racing were four pupils from New Bridge School in the Wheels For All challenge competition final on specially adapted bikes powered by hand cranks.
New Bridge held time trials over half-term to pick its four fastest pupils to compete and Jack Fitton and DJ Chatoupolous won the race.
Head of PE Alison Toothill said: “They have done really well. Wheels For All does a really good job in our school. I’m really pleased we have been invited to what’s described as a mainstream event especially in the run up to the Olympics and Paralympics.”
Seven schools took part in the Schools Competition with people lining the streets to cheer on the young riders and bang the hoardings to create a lively atmosphere.
Competitors had to negotiate cobbles, hill climbs and tight turns as they raced around High Street, Henshaw Street, St Mary’s Way and Yorkshire Street. Samuel Fox, from Failsworth School, won the first lap. He said: “I didn’t expect to come first. I really liked taking part.”
The Oldham Team Cycling Competition saw Oldham-based organisations, including businesses, public services and charities, in a fun competition of two laps of the circuit.
The boys in blue of Greater Manchester Police’s team — Mark Wood, Mark Bertenshaw and Kristian Kurmul — won.
Oldham Coliseum’s team, executive director David Martin, production manager Mark Alexander and technical stage manager Adam Gent, added a touch of flamboyance in fancy dress and were proud to take last place, not helped by one member being on a tricycle that had to be pushed uphill.
They said they took part to raise the theatre’s profile — and make fools of themselves.
Mr Martin, tongue-in-cheek, added: “Having hills was a bit unfair. You don’t expect them in Oldham. It’s been a great laugh.”
Spectators gave the event the thumbs up. Stuart Beesley, from Oldham, attended with son-in-law Maurice Byrne and granddaughter Isabelle Byrne (2) to watch the community events before returning for the big race. He said: “It’s a good idea and great for the town. I’m surprised they have not done it before now. I have enjoyed it.”
Naomi Kallel, from Oldham, said: “I have been here about two hours and I have enjoyed it.”
Suzanne Jones, from Oldham, took her son Paul (12) to see the racing, who said it was exciting to watch.
Mrs Jones added: “He likes anything like this. It’s the first time I have seen it and I think it’s good.”
Halford Tour Series spokesman Peter Hodges said it was great to see shoppers stopping to take in the action and fun and the community event showcased Oldham as a great location rather than the image of a grim industrial town.
He added: “It’s been brilliant. It’s not just about an elite race, it’s about a whole day of cycling and getting children on to bikes. You don’t have to be super-fit to do cycling.”
Town centre manager Sara Hewitt said: “The Town Centre Events Group has worked really hard and we’re pleased that it has gone so well.
