TOMORROW’S Chorley Grand Prix route almost passes Brad Morgan’s front door and the Team Raleigh GAC rider is keen to make an impression on home soil.

Morgan, who will line-up alongside Barnoldswick’s Ian Wilkinson in Raleigh’s squad for tomorrow’s race, lives in Eccleston and grew up in East Lancashire.

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And the 23-year-old, who joined Raleigh in the winter, knows the course will prove a testing one for the near 200-field which includes all the leading lights of the national cycling scene.

The 23.2 mile route, which will be ridden five times, includes the 2.2 mile climb from Rivington to Belmont and Morgan believes that should add to the action.

He said: “It is the first race with all the big boys together and it is a tough course with the climb in there.

“It should be a really interesting race. We have a good squad and are looking to get a good result.”

Morgan is likely to be working for team-mates during the race but admits he will look to make the most of any situations that come his way.

“We have got a couple of people to look after and I am likely to be given a job of guarding someone and making sure they are ok,” he added.

“But you never know what will happen. If you can get in a break or something then it all changes.

“I will have a few local people supporting me out on the course as well and I imagine there will be a big crowd there.”

Morgan admits he knows the course inside out and believes the inaugural Chorley Grand Prix incorporates all that is good about East Lancashire.

“I live in Eccleston and it will be great to be racing on local roads,” he said.

“It will be kind of weird to be riding on the roads I train on all the time.

“I will know what is coming up but in can be very different in the race situation.

“Cycling is very popular in the north west and it is perfect terrain to train.

“There are plenty of hills and routes around the Ribble Valley and there are also plenty of flat rides out towards Blackpool.

“It is the perfect place to cycle, you have all the terrain you need.”

And Morgan hopes the event can help inspire the next generation of cyclists who will be able to see national standard racing in East Lancashire.

“Hopefully a few people will come out to watch the race and be inspired to get on a bike,” he said.

“It will be a great atmosphere and hopefully Raleigh can get a good result.

Racing gets underway at 11am tomorrow with the riders passing completing five laps before finishing in Chorley town centre at approximately 3.30pm.

The race forms the start of the British Cycling Elite Series and will see 11 squads race for individual and team honours over eight races between now and August.

Riders are awarded points at each race in the series dependant on their finishing position - the higher the position the more points – with the rider with the most points at the end of the series being crowned the champion.

  • Don’t miss all the action from the race including interviews and pictures in Wednesday’s Telegraph