10:03am Tuesday 30th August 2005
By Gazette Sports
BRITAIN'S very own mini version of the Tour De France will be sweeping through Shap, Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale today (Wednesday) en route from Glasgow to Westminster.
The second stage of the six-day Tour of Britain Cycle Race will be leaving Carlisle at 10.45am this morning and the 16 trade and national teams, including one outfit from Japan and Lancaster-based Recycling.co.uk MG, will have extra racing incentives with special sprints at Shap and Kendal and climbs at Shap summit and on the road from Kendal to Old Town. There is a third Stage 2 sprint at Hornby as the riders ride along the Lune Valley towards Cockerham.
The overall winner will be the rider who has ridden all six stages in the least amount of time, but other riders will be competing to win individual stages, the overall points competition plus titles for best climber and best sprinter, based on the special sprints and climbs.
The 16 participating professional teams are: T-Mobile; CSC; Quick-step Innergetic; DFL; Mr Bookmaker Sportstech; Navigators Insurance Cycling Team; Chocolate Jacques T Interim; Barloworld-Valsir; Comunidad Valenciana; Team Bridgestone; Recycling.co.uk MG; Landbouwkredit-Colnago; Great Britain; Ireland; Scotland; and Wales.
Recycling.co.uk MG are fielding a very powerful squad with Russell and Dean Downing, Rob Hayles, Paul Manning, Chris Newton and Rob Sharman listed in their line-up. In addition, they have Euan Oliphant riding in the colours of Scotland.
The race is being supported by Britain's regional development agencies; the Department of Culture, Media and Sport; Sport England; Visit Britain; British Cycling and the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale).
Where to watch...
Timetable for roadside fans is: Shap village 11.55am; Shap summit 12.10pm; Shap Road, Kendal 12.30pm for the sprint - along road next to Queen Katherine School - then over Stamongate Bridge, along New Road, Aynam Road and Burton Road before turning up Oxenholme Road en route for the Old Town (and a second special climb at Blease Hill) and then on to Kirkby Lonsdale.
All being well, the leader should reach the Sandcastle Centre, in Blackpool, for a 2.50pm stage finish, followed by a presentation of stage awards at 3pm.
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