A major women’s cycling event will shine a light on Longridge, Broughton and the wider Lancashire countryside as it passes through the county in August.
The Lancashire stage will see riders tackle challenging climbs in the Forest of Bowland, including Waddington Fell and the iconic Pendle Hill for a stage that includes 1,392 metres of ascent.
The route then flattens out and heads west towards the coast, passing through Whalley, Longridge and Broughton, before heading south at Singleton towards Lytham St. Annes and eventually finishing on Blackpool promenade.
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See the full stage two route for the Tour of Britain Pic: British Cycling
Longridge mayor Robert Walker said riders would head down Kestor Lane en route for Broughton and he welcomed the tour’s presence in the town.
He said: “Events like this bring people together and excites them to be able to see athletes of this stature heading through Longridge. The speed the cyclists go at is incredible when you see them live.
“The fact it is televised will really showcase Longridge, the Ribble Valley and wider county and that is a really positive outcome of the tour.”
The tour starts in the Lake District on 19 August, Lancashire on 20 August and then takes in stages in North Wales, the English-Welsh border near Hay on Wye and culminates in the Midlands.
The start and finish times are yet to be revealed, along with road closure information for the stage.
<p><img width="630" height="374" src="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240314-183712.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240314-183712.jpg 630w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240314-183712-300x178.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px" /></p>
<h2>Arsenal defender, Ben White has snubbed a call-up from England ahead of their March international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.</h2>
<p>Ben White who has been in superb form at Arsenal so far this season <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/14/ben-white-signs-new-long-term-contract-with-arsenal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently signed a contract extension with the Gunners.</a></p>
<p>Due to his form, the Three Lions of England coach attempted to invite the defender to the March friendly games but the right-back turned down the invite.</p>
<p>Reports claimed that the 26-year-old defender is still not happy with Southgate for failing to select him for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Also, reports claimed that Ben White has vowed not to play for England until Southgate is no longer in charge of the team.</p>
<p><em>"I spoke to him post-Qatar and there was reticence from his side. I don't know why that is,"</em> Southgate told reporters on Thursday, March 14.</p>
<p><em>"There is no issue between us at all and there's also no issue with Steve, which has been mentioned in articles and I don't like that.</em></p>
<p><em>"I have to accept things are false about me, but I'm not prepared for that to happen to my coaching team. That is not the reason Ben is not with us."</em></p>
<p>Ben White has made just four appearances since he made his international debut for England on June 2, 2021. He didn't kick a ball for the Three Lions of England throughout 2023.</p>
<p>Southgate said: <em>"[White] would be in this squad but he's not available to us and I have to focus on who can help us.</em></p>
<p><em>"Clearly on form. I can't sit here and say he doesn't deserve to be in.</em></p>
<p><em>"It is a great shame. He is a player we took to the Euros, a player we took to the World Cup and I spoke to him post-Qatar because I wanted to pick him.</em></p>
<p><em>"People have given me a lot of stick for not picking players in the past who haven't made themselves available. But I've always been able to keep them out of that story.</em></p>
<p><em>"On this occasion, because of the circumstances around the number of injuries and his decision to come off the long list I've got to be more transparent."</em></p>
<p>Below is England's full squad for their friendly games against Brazil at 8 p.m. on March 23 and against Belgium at 8:45 p.m. on March 26:</p>
<p><strong>Goalkeepers:</strong> Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).</p>
<p><strong>Defenders:</strong> Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kyle Walker (Man City).</p>
<p><strong>Midfielders:</strong> Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), James Maddison (Tottenham), Declan Rice (Arsenal).</p>
<p><strong>Forwards:</strong> Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Man City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Man United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/14/arsenal-star-snubs-england-call-up-southgate-calls-it-great-shame/">Arsenal Star Snubs England Call-up, Southgate Calls It “Great Shame”</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.naijanews.com">Naija News</a>.</p>
