THOUSANDS of people are expected to brave the weather and pack into Redditch town centre later for a night of elite cycling.
This year’s Pearl Izumi Tour Series event, backed by Worcestershire County Council’s Choose How You Move, project got underway at 2pm when it was officially opened by highways manager Jon Fraser and Pat Bradshaw, the wife of Redditch Sustrans Ranger Richard Bradshaw who passed away in January. Mr Bradshaw was a driving force behind improving cycling routes across Redditch.
The crowds were entertained with performances by pupils from St George’s First School samba dance group, a scooter parade by Roman Way First School and cheerleading by Matchborough First School children.
Members of the town’s business community have already taken to the track to try and post the fastest time in a sprint up Unicorn Hill with the team from E Response taking top spot.
The elite cycle races begin at 6pm when the women compete in round four of the Matrix Fitness Grand Prix followed by the men in round seven of the Tour Series at 7.30pm.
