Blists Hill bike race to be shown live on TV for first time
Shropshire will be in the national spotlight when a county bike race is broadcast on television for the first time.
Blists Hill Victorian Town in Ironbridge will host the Ludgate Finance Queen Victoria Cyclo-Cross race on July 9, with around 300 cyclists from across the UK expected to enter.
The event is in its fourth year and will be broadcast on the Bike Channel – Sky channel 464 and Virgin Media channel 552.
Television crews will be there to capture the action as races for all ages, from children to veterans, takes place at the World Heritage Site.
This year's event will again feature the Telford Balance Bike Championship too.
Promoter Nick Jeggo said: "We are looking forward to the fourth Queen Victoria Cyclo-cross race as Blists Hill Victorian Town is a very unique location for a cycling event. The course includes the ascent of the Hay Incline Plane which can prove very testing for riders.
"It has been described in Cycling Weekly magazine as 'Britain's craziest bike race' and this year is set to be no different.
"Officials will be dressed in Victorian costume to add to the atmosphere and between races spectators will be kept entertained by barrel organs, music hall singers, a funfair and the whistles of steam engines. This year is particularly exciting as the event is being filmed for the Bike Channel."
Cyclo-cross is an off-road form of cycling, with most competitors using specialist cross bikes which are a combination of a racing and mountain bike.
The event will start at 6pm and entry for spectators is £3 at the gate. Children under 16 can enter free of charge with an adult.
