MORE than 15,000 people crowded into the streets of Redditch to watch the opening round of the 2017 Tour Series cycling event on Tuesday.
Held for the sixth consecutive year, the Pearl Izumi Tour Series men’s race and Matrix Fitness Grand Prix women’s race transformed Church Green West, Prospect Hill, Clive Road, Hewell Road and Unicorn Hill into a thrilling 1.4km race circuit.
Supporting the event the ‘Tour Village’ was bigger and busier than ever with St Stephen’s Church, selling coffee and cake at £2 a go, transformed into the race headquarters.
And the cyclists didn’t disappoint either with rising star Alice Barnes winning the Matrix Fitness Grand Prix and Chris Opie pulling off an amazing finish to clinch the Tour Series race.
Borough Mayor Councillor Joe Baker said he was delighted with the way the entire event, from beginning to stunning finale, had gone.
“It’s been great to see the Tour Series event so well attended and I’m so pleased we have been able to put it on this year.
“So a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in organising it and especially to Bill Hartnett, the leader of the council, who campaigned so hard to bring it back to Redditch.”
The racing was shown on ITV4 on Wednesday and is still available on the ITV Player.
