IAN Wilkinson believes the inaugural Chorley Grand Prix can showcase East Lancashire’s burgeoning cycling scene as the country’s top teams prepare for Saturday’s race.
The race is the first Star Trophy race of the season and Wilkinson is confident of a strong start by his own Raleigh GAC team, and the area’s cycling supporters.
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The weekend event, which is the start of the country’s premier road series, will see the riders tackle five laps of a 23.2 mile course starting and finishing in Chorley’s high street.
And Wilkinson, who will fancy his chances should the race come down to a sprint, is just one of a host of leading national riders.
The race will see Team Wiggins make its UK debut with Colne’s Steven Burke slated to ride, while the Matt Prior owned ONE Pro Cycling also have a strong team entered including defending series champion Yanto Barker.
“It is a really good field and it should be a great race,” said Wilkinson.
“It’s great to have one of these races back up in the north west.
“Cycling in this country is becoming more and more popular everywhere but especially in the north west. I am sure there will be a lot of fans out on the route and if the weather is good I think it will be really good attendance.”
Wilkinson has made a strong start to the season with a podium at the Eddie Soens Memorial Race plus a top-20 placing in Totnes Vires two-day where he supported team-mate Steve Lampier to overall victory.
And the Barnoldswick star is now hoping to continue that good form into the Star Trophy Series and the subsequent Tour Series.
“This is the real start of the season now,” Wilkinson added. “All of the top teams will be there and it is about getting a few podiums and good results in the first few races and then seeing how we go from there in terms of the overall.
“We have a few cards to play. We have guys who can go for long-range attacks and guys like myself who can perhaps challenge in a sprint.
“There is a great spirit in the camp and hopefully we can get a good result.”
Saturday’s course includes a 2.5 mile climb from Rivington to Belmont on each lap. The racing gets underway at 11am with the action expected to conclude around 3.30pm.
Race timetable
11am: Neutralised start
11.06am: Race start
11.11am: Rivington Village Green, start of King of Mountains
11:16am: Summit of climb
11:25am: Withnell
11:42am: Buckshaw Avenue
11:53am: Finish lap one
12:52pm: Finish lap two
1:45pm: Finish lap three
2:38pm: Finish lap four
3.32pm: Race finish
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