Everyone's a tour winner

Philip (back, left), Terri (back, right) and Elise with their new bikes

When the Tour of Britain came to Rochdale it wasn’t just world champion cyclists that were the winners.

Three lucky cycling enthusiasts won bikes thanks to Chris Paulson Cycles of Yorkshire Street, Rochdale.

The race day competition winners were four-year-old Elise Nolan of Smallbridge, Philip Williams of Middleton and 12-year-old Terri Brookes of Newbold.

The free prize draw winners were drawn from hundreds of entries by Leader of the Council, Councillor Irene Davidson.

Elise watched the start of the international race last month with her dad, Leigh, and brothers.

Leigh said: “We all really enjoyed watching the race. It was great to see so many people out supporting the cyclists. It was fantastic to have the chance to meet many of them before the race too. Elise is delighted at winning the bike. We love cycling together as a family, particularly up at Hollingworth Lake, so we can’t wait to get out and about and give the new bike a go.”

100 top cyclists descended on Rochdale for the start of the 2010 Tour and crowds gathered in the town centre and lined the streets to cheer them on their way.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, Cabinet Member for Development, said: “It’s fantastic that Chris Paulson Cycles supported the Tour coming to Rochdale in this way. It was a great day for Rochdale and everyone I’ve spoken to about the race thoroughly enjoyed it and felt it was a real coup for us to have the race start here. I’m delighted that as a result Elise, Philip and Terri have all had the chance to win these great bikes.”