Hundreds of bikers take to the streets for Staffordshire Cycling Festival - in photos
Some of Britain's best cyclists sped around Stafford town centre as part of an annual festival.
Staffordshire Cycling Festival saw both professional, amateur and budding riders take to the track.
The event, which took place yesterday, saw elite pro riders from across the UK battle it out in the Chartley Coffee Stafford Grand Prix, starting at around 7pm from Market Square.
Cyclists zipped round the tight 750m circuit that will see them completing a lap every minute in a fast-and-furious race.
Ahead of the main event, a host of other races took place throughout the day, including the curtain-raiser sportive event which saw more than 300 cyclists take part in the 60 and 40-mile routes.
Lee Barber, from Stoke-on-Trent was the first to cross the line in the latter – a huge achievement after cracking a rib when he was hit by a car just two weeks ago.
The 31-year-old said: "I got hit by a care two weeks ago and cracked a rib, so it was touch and go whether I'd actually take part or not.
"I was aiming for a three hour finish on the shorter route and did it in about two hours twenty – so I'm really happy.
"Breathing has been a little difficult, but just to finish it has been great."
Mark Boardman, 62, from Stafford, and James Brough, 27, also from Stafford, were among the first riders to cross the line.
The cycling festival, sponsored by Redrow Homes, saw festival visitors watch big-screen action from the Tour de France in Market Square as well as a Strider balance bike course for youngsters, an Oxford v Cambridge university cycle race and the stars of tomorrow got to ride the pro course in boys’ and girls’ races for under-14 and under-16 categories.
Last night was the first time the Stafford Grand Prix has been staged since 2015, when huge crowds cheered on the riders.
RideStaffs director Paul Rowlands added: “RideStaffs was founded in 2010 to bring pro races to Stafford, and we’re delighted to do it again this year.
"We always hope that the event is good for the town and gets the footfall up in the centre, it gets people spending money and trying out the great places to eat and drink in the town."
