Cat and Fiddle to be part of big cycle race

THE most dangerous road in the borough will form a gruelling section of the country’s biggest cycle race.

The Cat and Fiddle A537 is expected to be one of the toughest parts of the Tour of Britain, which has today confirmed its route will pass through the town.

Following a successful bid by Cheshire East Council, the eight day tour will come to the area on Stage three of the tour, starting in Congleton and finishing at Tatton Park, and taking in a 10.5kilometre climb up to the Cat and Fiddle pub.

Macclesfield residents, who last hosted the event in 2012, will be able to watch dozens of elite riders as they whizz past on September 6.

Top riders such as Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish have competed in the past, but the complete line-up for 2016 will not be known until nearer the event.

Newly elected council leader, Rachel Bailey, said: “We feel truly privileged to be hosting this wonderful spectacle in the borough and delighted that the Tour has selected Cheshire East to host this third stage of what is a captivating sporting event. In Cheshire East we have well over 200 miles of cycle routes, including 167 miles of National Cycle Network, plus traffic-free routes. All this is testament to our commitment to promoting this activity for families and to the enthusiasm shown by our residents and cycling clubs. We hope that this event will inspire many others to take up cycling, whether for sport or leisure.”

Race director Mick Bennett, said: “Cheshire East offers competitors the gently rolling roads of the Cheshire Plain with some key climbs such as the Cat and Fiddle, and we are working with our partners at Cheshire East Council to bring the Tour of Britain to as many of the communities in the borough as possible.”

David Higham, from Macclesfield Wheelers’, said: “It’s fantastic news.

“It will showcase the area to millions of people on TV, boost the local economy and give locals the chance to see the world’s top cyclists in action at close quarters.

“Although the stage starts in Congleton and finishes in Tatton Park, Macclesfield will be the centre of most of the racing action as the riders tackle several local climbs, including the iconic Cat and Fiddle. Macclesfield Wheelers and other local cycling clubs will be working with Cheshire East Council to ensure that the event helps more people get out on their bikes, whether for commuting, leisure or racing.”

The tour runs from Sunday, September 4 to Sunday, September 11, and is the country’s biggest free spectator sport.

The council will also be hosting a number of events for people to get involved in ahead of the event.

For more information and to keep up to date go to cheshiretourofbritain. co.uk.