THE Thwaites Grand Prix - one of the country's top cycle races - starts today (May 2) and comes to Burnley on Sunday.
More than 100 riders from Britain and abroad will compete in the five-day, 350-mile race through Lancashire. The 62-mile fifth stage, from Burnley to Accrington via the Bowland fells and the Longridge area, gets under way at 10.30 am.
Last year's champion, Chris Lillywhite, is heading the field, but he faces tough competition from overseas riders, who are competing for the first time.
Lillywhite shares with Chris Boardman the distinction of winning the Lancashire tour twice. Teams from Slovakia, Holland, Ireland, Wales and the rest of Britain will make it hard for him to win a record-breaking third title.
The race begins in Manchester today and ends in Blackburn on Monday, May 6.
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