Olympic champs set to race through Mid Devon

11:10am Saturday 6th September 2008

OLYMPIC champions from Great Britain’s cycling team will be competing in the Tour of Britain which comes to Tiverton on Tuesday.

Beijing Olympic gold medal winners Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas will be joined by bronze medal winner Chris Newton.

The South-West stage will set off from Chard, in Somerset, before crossing into Devon and passing through Mid Devon, Tiverton, South Molton and a gruelling King of the Mountains climb at North Molton as it heads on to Exmoor and on to the finish in Burnham-on-Sea.

Riders are expected in Hemyock at 10.50am, Willand around 11am and Tiverton at 11.20.

The picturesque route passes through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Exmoor National Park and includes three e.on King of the Mountain challenges.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council executive member for environment, said: “British cycling is on top of the world after an incredibly successful Olympics, so the Tour of Britain comes at the best possible time.

“The race is the perfect way to celebrate that success and it’s an opportunity for people in Devon to see our Olympic champions up close and to cheer them on.”

The eight-day race, which starts in London on September 7 and finishes in Liverpool on September 14, will be televised daily on ITV4.