County welcomes Olympic heroes

Wednesday 10th September 2008, 7:50AM BST.

Shropshire was gearing up to welcome three Olympic cycling heroes today with the country’s top professional cycle race coming to Telford.

Gold medallists Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas and bronze medallist Chris Newton are among the 90-strong pack in the Tour of Britain.

Today’s stage four – from Worcester to Stoke-on-Trent – was taking the riders through the beautiful scenery of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.

Tour spokesman Paul Rowlands said: “Thankfully we didn’t need pedalos when the race started at Worcester this morning although we were not able to use the racecourse as it is under water.

“But levels in the River Severn are falling and the race will come through Telford as planned.

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