Mark Cavendish at the Prologue Time Trial in Crystal Palace (photo Pete Goding)

Mark Cavendish of the T-Mobile Team claimed victory on the Prologue Time Trial of The 2007 Tour of Britain at Crystal Palace. This was the first time that a British rider has won the yellow jersey. In a clean sweep of the jersey competitions, Mark also won the E.ON King of the Mountain’s jersey by being the fastest rider to the high point of the 2.5km circuit.

The race was a close run thing with Nikolai Tusov and Alexander Serov from the Tinkoff Credit Systems recording times of 02’28.82” and 02’31.24” respectively, holding poll position on the Leader Board for some time. In a great day for homegrown talent, there were four British riders within the top ten, namely Geraint Thomas (Barloworld), Ed Clancy (Team GB) and Chris Newton (Recycling.com).

The 2.5km time trial kicked off this year’s Tour of Britain. The UK’s biggest cycle race which was an entirely free to view event, sponsored by Transport for London. After leaving the Capital the race covered around 800kms of Britain in six tough stages, and finished in Glasgow on Sunday 16 September.

Sunday 9 September was bursting with cycle races from 10.30 and included the Transport for London Grand Prix for amateur riders, Women’s Grand Prix and Junior race. From 15:00hrs 96 of the world’s best professionals competed in the first ever Prologue time trial for the Tour of Britain. The idea of the day was to be a fun-packed and entertaining outing for cyclists and non-cyclists alike.

Transport for London supports the Tour of Britain as part of its work to encourage more Londoners to take to two wheels. Since 2000 the number of people cycling in the Capital has increased by 83 per cent.

Throughout the day, spectators keen on learning more about cycling in the Capital got advice. Go Ride, the Cycling Programme for young people and Bikeability, the Cycling Proficiency Test for the 21st century, were available to provide information about taking to two wheels in London.

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said:

“The Tour de France brought enjoyment to millions of people, many of whom were able to watch the race on London’s streets and I am sure it will have further inspired people to travel by bike.”

After the London Prologue the Tour of Britain continued with six stages around the UK, which included Reading to Southampton (140km), Yeovilton to Taunton (170km), Worcester to Wolverhampton (150km), Rotherham to Bradford (160km), Liverpool to Kendal (180km) and Dumfries to Glasgow (150km).

Frenchman Romain Feillu who won by just a few hundredths of a second took the overall victory. For further information visit the Tour of Britain website.

(First published Palace Mag July 2007)