THE excitement of Britain's biggest bike race comes wheeling into the city on Monday.
With the nation still cheering British cycling glory in Beijing, the world's top riders will speed along the grid at the start of the second stage of the Tour of Britain.
And Milton Keynes sports fans and shoppers have a great opportunity to catch the colourful atmosphere, as competitors put in a lap of the city centre before they line-up for the serious business of a 90-mile race that will take them to Newbury via Aylesbury.

The city council is so thrilled to be hosting the event – which will feature no fewer than five teams from this year's Tour de France – it is putting on a week of activities to promote cycling in England's most bike-friendly city.

Ceri Griffin, who spearheads cycling development in Milton Keynes, said: "Following the success of the cyclists at the Beijing Olympics, it could not be a better time for Milton Keynes to be the focus of the Tour of Britain which is a great honour for the city."

Tour racers get on their bikes at 10.10am on Monday at Milton Keynes Central Station.

At 10.15am they head off along Midsummer Boulevard and turn north into Saxon Gate on a clockwise circuit of Central Milton Keynes.

They then return along Midsummer Boulevard and follow Grafton Gate and Grafton Street to join Monks Way, making for Marlborough Street, where the second stage race begins at 10.35.

Police motorcyclists will ride on ahead to close off road junctions as the pack gathers speed.

Dick Hooper, a key official at cycle races around the country and partner in the city's Phil Corley Cycles, said: "The event will raise the profile of Milton Keynes. It will be quite a show with 100 riders going through."

As a curtain-raiser to Monday's spectacular, there will be a Tour/bike promotion event on Saturday and Sunday at Midsummer Place, where BMX stunt riders will display their skills.

Thames Valley Police will be on hand to security-code bikes and there will be a range of goodies, including Redways cycle maps.

Other events between Tuesday and Sunday include a cycle ride at Silverstone organised by Macmillan Cancer Support and 'Heritage' cycle rides from Lakeside, Willen Lake.

MP Mark Lancaster is competing in a 50-mile charity cycle challenge organised by Climb Your Mountain and Milton Keynes Council.

The council is also joining with Milton Keynes YMCA in staging a charity cycle ride at Willen Lake.

Also in the next few days, the council will be launching the latest edition of the Redways cycling guide.

Visit www.tourofbritain.co.uk for more details.