Thousands ride to RideStaffs Staffordshire Cycling Festival at Shugborough Park
Thousands of people took part in a big celebration of cycling over the weekend whether it was jumping in the saddle themselves or cheering on riders.
The RideStaffs Staffordshire Cycling Festival took place at Shugborough Park from Friday to Sunday.
Some of the UK and Europe's top pro cyclists competed in two elite British cycling races on Friday and Saturday evening. The bike-riding public got in on the action too. There were free under-fives Strider Bikes races on Saturday afternoon and almost 1,000 riders took part in two Sportives on Sunday around the county.
On Friday night, the RideStaffs Grand Prix (second round of the British Cycling Elite Circuit Series), presented by Specialized, saw pro racers battle for supremacy. Riders from Team Madison Genesis dominated much of the race. A late burst from 26-year-old world and European Madison champion from Menorca Albert Torres (Team Raleigh GAC) saw him take first place.
On Saturday evening, the RideStaffs Kermesse, marked the opening round of the British Cycling Motorpoint Grand Prix Series, with 120 of the country's top elite cyclists competing.
Tom Moses from JLT Condor took first place over 18 laps of a 5.4-km course. Tom, aged 24 is from Keighley, West Yorkshire.
Russell Downing and Chris Lawless took second and third. On Sunday, more than 800 cyclists took part in the INTO22 and the Ride68 Sportives, cycling from Shugborough on road routes taking in much of the county.
The 22-mile INTO22 Sportive took in flatter, quieter roads through picturesque spots Great Haywood, Tixall and Milford before heading into the final straight along the main drive through the grounds of Shugborough.
The Ride68 Sportive crammed in different types of terrain and challenges along its 68-mile route, including gruelling climbs over Cannock Chase.
Competitors, including Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy, took to their Elephant Bikes – the winner being the last one to cross the line.
Festival organiser Paul Rowlands said: "The festival celebrates cycling and actively gets people involved in this great sport."
