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Tour of Britain comes to Worcester… as Wiggo goes to Ambridge

13 Mar 2014 racing Worcester Bradley Wiggins
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The full route for 2014’s Tour of Britain hasn’t been announced yet, but Worcester City Council has let slip that the Faithful City will be hosting a stage.

Worcester will host the start of a Tour stage on Thursday 11 September. The Tour of Britain, which takes place from 7 to 14 September, was upgraded in the international race hierarchy this year – meaning more famous riders are likely to take part.

Sir Bradley Wiggins, the winner of 2013’s Tour of Britain, is unlikely to be among them. He’s said that he intends to ride the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain) this year, and the two races clash in the calendar.

However, he won’t entirely be a stranger to the region, as he has agreed to make a guest appearance in Radio 4 soap opera The Archerspopularly believed to be based on Worcestershire villages. He will be judging entries at Ambridge’s Sport Relief event. Wiggins said:

“When I was asked to record a Sport Relief special for The Archers, there was no way I could turn it down. I grew up with it on the radio in the house, and it’s not every day you get to star in the world’s longest-running soap opera.”

Sport Relief explained further: “Bradley will be crowning the village winner – but not before the cycling hero has an amusing encounter with Lynda Snell and her rusty old bike.”

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