WAS it a bird? Was it a plane?

No, it was the Ordnance Survey balloon hovering over Blackpool last week to highlight the road changes which will be in effect when the UK's premier cycle race, Prutour, visits the resort.

Chris Boardman, Britain's Olympic gold medal winner and runner-up in last year's race, will be among the stars chasing a share of the £100,000 prize purse as they race to the end of stage six, after a 103-mile ride from Liverpool.

The first cyclist to cross the finish line in Blackpool will secure the coveted red leader's jersey in preparation for the seventh and final stage of the tour.

The 108 competitors will hit the seafront at around 2.55pm on Friday (May 28), led by a cavalcade of eye-catching vehicles which will bring along all the drama and razzmatazz of world class cycling.

In all, Prutour will cover 732 miles of British roads and visit more than 350 towns, cities and villages.

A whole host of festivities have been planned to greet cyclists and spectators alike in Blackpool. The fun starts at 10.30am with a Rock FM roadshow and a visual treat from the Red Devils parachute display team. Celebrities Michaela Strachan, Kriss Akabusi MBE and former Tour de France winner Stephen Roche will also be attending to provide support to the participants of the 'Impruve Schools Challenge', which sees 48 youngsters from the North West and Cumbria take part in a cycling challenge comprising a series of obstacle courses.

Also entertaining the crowds will be members of the Natural Theatre Company, children's television favourites Slap & Tickle and Pedal & Spoke, together with clowns, jugglers and a balloon modeller.

There will also be a Dixieland jazz band to get everyone's toes tapping and a charity auction with proceeds going to NCH Action for Children.

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