Vale residents will get a rare chance to see some of the world’s best cyclists, including Sir Bradley Wiggins, on their doorstep next month when the Friends Life Tour of Britain passes through the area.
On 12 September the sixth stage of the tour will enter Oxfordshire near Wantage and head through Blewbury, where there will be a mid-stage YodelDirect Sprint.
Team Sky, led by Sir Bradley Wiggins will be taking part in the tour this year alongside many of the world’s top teams including BMC Racing and the world No.1 squad Movistar Team.
Communities along the route are being to encouraged to come out and see the event, and come up with their own ideas to mark the occasion.
The race will be covered live by ITV4 and British Eurosport, with three hours of live coverage daily, plus a one-hour highlights programme each evening.
Riders will enter Oxfordshire around lunchtime at Chain Hill, Wantage as part of the stage from Bath to Hemel Hempstead and then continue via the A417 passing West Hendred, Harwell, and Blewbury.
More information about the event, including a full route of the stage, can be found on the tour’s website; www.tourofbritain.co.uk.