IT's a BUGS life

TOMORROW I will be in Bath city centre watching some of the best British, and some overseas, professional riders – men and women – race around a circuit covering the Royal Crescent in the final round of the Tour Series.

The races are covered by ITV4 and, as well as being fast and exciting races, they showcase the host town.

The series visits 10 towns and cities around the country and this year has visited the Isle of Wight, Woking, Motherwell, Durham and Redditch among others.

The women’s races include Olympic champions like Dani King and Laura Trott. Dani King rides for a team sponsored by Swindon-based car manufacturer, Honda.

The men’s races have a team owned by Sir Bradley Wiggins and he is rumoured to be showing up at some of these events, as well as Ed Clancy who has an Olympic gold medal and World and European track titles.

There are races for kids, races for amateurs and races between local businesses at these events.

The towns and cities that host these races not only benefit from the exposure on TV, but the crowds on the day are extremely healthy and local businesses do very well out of the fans. It also inspires people to get out on their bikes.

So, if you’re at a loose end tomorrow, jump on the train and get down to Bath.

The action starts at 10.30am with the support events and schools races.

The senior women’s and men’s races (with the Olympic champions in) are at 5.30pm and 7.30pm respectively.

The best thing about it, as with all cycle racing on the roads, is it’s entirely free to watch. Where else do you get to watch Olympic champions competing for free?

I wonder if this sort of event could be held in Swindon at some point in the future.

Wouldn’t that be great for the town – Sir Bradley Wiggins in Swindon?

Rob Derry Swindon BUG (Bicycle Users Group) Steering Committee.