Stockton goes cycling mad as sport's elite come to town

While the road closures may have proved something of a headache for any residents and businesses who did not appreciate the two-wheeled takeover, the majority of those who gathered in their thousands, either in the town centre or along Sunday's road race route, could not get enough of it.

For the first time, the Stockton Cycling Festival, which began on Thursday, incorporated the British Cycling National Championships.

Proceedings got underway on Thursday night with the time trial and concluded on Sunday with the road race, featuring the likes of Tour de France ace Mark Cavendish.

In between there was all manner of attractions to keep fanatics, keen amateurs and just the plain curious happy.

Kevin and Linda Cross, from nearby Ingleby Barwick, brought their fitness mad twins Poppy and Lilly to the race on Sunday and where lucky enough to meet the winner of the women's race Hannah Barnes who pipped sister Alice to the title.

"We were asking about sibling rivalry because with our girls being twins there is always some rivalry when they bike or do the park run so I was asking how they were when they were growing up. She said there was some, but obviously they get on really well."

Mrs Cross said she had fully embraced the festival.

"We are from Ingleby and a lot of people were complaining about the road being closed off, but we thought it was really good. I work in Stockton, so I just got my bike out and came to work on it. It was perfect for me."

Mr Cross said he felt such events could have big benefits.

"With having this and the Tour de Yorkshire in Middlesbrough, it's just fantastic for the area," he said.

Andrew Amos-Adams was with two friends trying some unorthodox machines just off the High Street.

"It has been a fantastic day out for cyclists and non cyclists," he said. "If you are not a cyclist and you were thinking about getting into it, this is a great experience.

"We watched the ladies race this morning and it was unbelievable. It was just phenomenal, they are real powerhouses.

"We need more women in cycling. This event is a good indicator that it's for everybody - it's not a male thing any more, it's for everybody."

Louise McGrogan-Wright, owner of Poppy Rose gift shop in the town centre, had decorated a bike outside bearing the slogan; "Cycling side effects include: sweating, euphoria and general awesomeness".

She said she was pleased the town had staged the event.

"I have really enjoyed it and I think though there has been a couple of days when it has been quiet because of the road closures, on the whole I think it has been a great success and I have really enjoyed it," she said. "I think Stockton Council has done a great job."

Time trial champion was full of praise for the event when he collected his medal on Friday, describing the town centre stage as "quite incredible".

Reacting to those comments, Councillor Norma Wilburn, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, said: “Thursday was a fantastic example of how these national cycling championships are a great chance for us to showcase Stockton Borough on a national stage.

“Alex made history by recording a fifth time trial title right here in Stockton and it was very pleasing to hear his comments about how he much enjoyed racing in Stockton and how he acknowledged all of the hard work that has been done by so many people to bring such a prestigious sporting event to the area.

“When we bid to host these national championships, we promised British Cycling that we would deliver a great atmosphere and that’s what the people of Stockton and visitors from further afield delivered as they lined the streets and cheered all the riders."

Cllr Wilburn acknowledged there "were some inevitable delays and inconvenience on the roads" but said the diversion routes worked well.

"We’re thankful for residents’ understanding that the road closures were absolutely necessary for an event of this scale to be safe," she said.

“Thursday was a normal working day and not a school holiday but the crowds were of a good number and well dispersed around the town centre circuit, generating plenty of noise as they watched champions of the sport roaring back on to the High Street for a thrilling finish.”