Rochdale gearing up to welcome world’s top cyclists for OVO Energy Tour of Britain

British Cycling's premier road cycling event will race through Rochdale on its final day and will arrive at approximately 12.45pm on Saturday 14 September from the Oldham border.

Spectators are encouraged to come out and line the route to cheer on the peloton as it makes its way through the borough.

Race day will be a chance for residents to spend some time at Rochdale Town Hall as well as watching the world’s top cyclists up close.

At Rochdale Town Hall from 10am to 2pm there will be a family friendly event with entertainment, food, music and cycling related activities. 

This includes Bicycle Boy – a bicycle-powered musical show for children aged 6-10 and their families, with songs, laughs and lots of interaction. Show times are 11.30am and 1.30pm. 

Whatever level of cyclist you are you’ll be able to try out a range of different bikes and ride them in a safe, traffic free course around the town hall.

Whether you’re just learning to ride, a regular cyclist, a wheelchair user or not confident about riding, there will be lots of bikes for you and your family to try including balance bikes, mountain bikes, 3-wheelers and accessible bikes. Link4Life will also be providing free cycling sessions and there’ll even be an outdoor spin class to try.

Also, if you’ve got any basic repairs needed on your bike, bring it along and experts will fix it free of charge.

Whilst enjoying the entertainment and soaking up the race day atmosphere, there will be drinks and snacks on sale, while nearby restaurants, bars and cafes will be welcoming visitors for lunch and refreshments.

You’ll also be in prime position for a great view as the cyclists travel along The Esplanade and past Rochdale Town Hall.

Another great local viewpoint will be in Norden as the riders prepare for the climb up Edenfield Road. Spectators are very welcome to cheer the riders on in the village.

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming such a high-profile cycling event to the borough. We’ve some great family friendly activities around the town hall from 10am which will also be a great place to watch the race from, as well as in Norden village.

“Bring your flags and homemade banners down to cheer on the riders as they pass by. It’s also a boost for local businesses and supports the ever-growing enthusiasm for cycling as a healthy choice for travel. With a global television audience of millions it’s a wonderful opportunity to have images of our beautiful town hall and stunning countryside beamed around the world too.”

Rochdale route in full:

The route through Rochdale will see the cyclists enter the borough at Burnedge from High Crompton on Broad Lane and then down Oldham Road, turning right at the central retail park onto Wood Street, Molesworth Street and up John Street.

The route then goes left onto St Mary's Gate and into the town centre along Newgate and past Rochdale town hall. From there the tour will head along Dane Street (past Asda) and Mellor Street onto Edenfield Road and through Norden towards Edenfield.

• www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stage-timetables-revealed-for-2019-ovo-energy-tour-of-britain/