Cycling stars to launch National Champs course in Pendle

CYCLING STARS TO LAUNCH NATIONAL CHAMPS COURSE

Chris Boardman, Pete Matthews, Tony Hewson and Paul Oldham will be on hand tomorrow in Pendle for the unveiling of the course for the National Road Race Championships this June.

Boardman will be riding the road race circuit around Barley with veteran Pete Matthews, a national champion in 1968, who designed one of Boardman's bikes and is still the national champion in his over 65s age group.   

They will be joined by Tony Hewson, author and pioneering British rider in the Tour de France, and Alan Gornall, a previous Commonwealth Games Gold Medal-winning cyclist who now lives locally in Barnoldswick.

The organisers will also take the opportunity to meet with residents on Sunday to fine tune plans for the event, after it attracting criticism from some local residents recently.

This year for the first time there will also be a sportive based on the circuit used by the pros.

See www.pennineevents.co.uk for more details.

THOMAS TAKES TOP TEN IN FINAL DAY IN OMAN

Geraint Thomas took his first top ten in an individual time trial since 2008 in the final stage of the Tour of Oman today.

Thomas finished ninth, with a time of 1-20 down on stage-winner Edvald Boasson Hagen.

It was Thomas' best individual time trial result since claiming third on stage one of Ster Elektrotoer in 2008.

Stage report and results>>>

WOMEN'S TRAINING SESSION AT HILLINGDON

Back by popular demand is the Women's Team Race Series at Hillingdon in February.

The two sessions, on February 21 and 28, will encompass how to ride in a team and team tactics with coaching from British Cycling coach Graham Macnamee and Jon Miles.

£10 per person.

To book a place, please contact jonmiles99@ntlworld.com

PEDAL IT PINK VISITS LIVERPOOL AND EDINBURGH

Following on from the success of last year's inaugural Pedal it Pink event, the woman-only Breast Cancer Campaign cycle event is returning to Liverpool on Sunday April 18.

There is a variety of routes on offer, to suit all abilities, in traffic-free Sefton Park, from a 5km family lap, which is also open to men and children, to half (13.1miles) and full (26.2mi) marathon distances for the more audacious riders.

Pedal it Pink ambassador and Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton rode last year. She commented: "I really enjoyed the event, it was refreshing not to ride on a road for a change.

"It was so good to see so many women out there supporting such a great cause and everyone was really supportive of one another, clapping and cheering each other on."

Four week later, Pedal it Pink will also be visiting Edinburgh for the first time, offering the same selection of routes around scenic Holyrood Park on May 16.

To register, please visit www.breastcancercampaign.org or ring 020 7749 3700.

Pendleton pedals it pink

ROLLAPALUZA NATIONAL FINALE AT GOOD FRIDAY MEET

The Rollapaluza National Finale will take place this year at the Half Moon Pub in Herne Hill after the Good Friday track meeting in south London.

The Rollapaluza event offers fans a double-header of entertainment, with raucous crowds expected at both.

Good Friday April 2, 7pm-midnight

Half Moon Pub, 10 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London, SE24 9HU

£5 to race or spectate.

See http://www.bristowevents.co.uk/goodfriday.html