'Tour De France is exciting news for Lancashire'

Eighty miles of the world's biggest free sporting event will pass through Lancashire next year when the Tour De France comes to the county - and people in the county have told of their excitement.

The opening stage, known as the Grand Depart, will start in Edinburgh with the first three stages taking place in Scotland, England and Wales.

In July 2027 it will pass from Carnforth down to West Lancashire, taking in Morecambe, Lancaster, the Forest of Bowland, Clitheroe, Blackburn and Chorley.

The Tour will be "absolutely brilliant and a fantastic route" Brian Cookson, former president of World Cycling, said.

The race is "literally going to come past my doorstep in Whalley," Cookson said.

"But it's not just a good time on the day, it's an opportunity to build on this and get people to get involved in cycling and other forms of activity."

Paul Bush, managing director of the 2027 Grand Depart, said: "It is massive for Lancashire, massive for all those communities and we're hoping this is a once in moment opportunity for the nation.

"We think there could be between 10 and 15 million people on the streets of the UK," Bush told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"People can come out, have some fun, and really get into the spirit of the Tour de France.

"It's going to be incredibly exciting."

Lancashire County Council said the economic impact could generate over £15m.

The route features a mix of fast sections and demanding climbs, including King of the Mountains ascents in the Trough of Bowland and over Rivington, plus an intermediate sprint to ramp up the pace.

Matt Townsend, director of highways and transport for Lancashire County Council, said the authority worked with the organisers to develop the route "to get the best of Lancashire".

"This is one of the world's biggest sporting events on our doorstep," he said. "And we are at the heart of it."

The county's five climbs make it "an enormous part of stage two," Jon Dutton, chief executive officer of British Cycling, said.

Previous cycling events in the county - including the Lancaster Grand Prix - are part of the reason the area was chosen due to "the topography, the terrain, and everything that Lancashire has to offer," he said.

Sue Gornall rode the women's Tour De France for four years in a row between 1986 and 1989.

The Barnoldswick resident, who has been cycling for over 50 years, said she still enjoys riding round the Bowland Fells.

She said she "loved the adrenaline" of hearing the crowds lining the streets, whose support was "deafening at times".

"The longer the climbs the better for me," Gornall said. "I loved them."

Freelance cycling journalist Katy Madgwick said Lancashire is a "brilliant area" to bring the Tour to.

"I know for a fact everyone will be out on the streets supporting the race," she said.

"There'll be people out on their bikes and with bunting, it should be an absolutely fantastic atmosphere."

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