>>>We want to hear what's happening in your area. To submit your stories for CW's British news round-up, please email Nick Bullor Richard Abraham>>>
A strong field containing the likes of Mark Cavendish and Thor Hushovd helped this year's Tour of Britain to record viewing figures.
In addition to the thousands of spectators who lined the route for September's race, the daily ITV4 highlights show saw a 17 per cent increase in viewers compared to the 2010 edition.
Rabobank's Lars Boom took the overall victory after taking the IG Markets gold jersey from Mark Cavendish on stage three, the Stoke-on-Trent stage. A record 592,000 tuned in to see how the race unfolded in the Potteries.
On average, 483,000 viewers watched the nightly highlights package according to figures released by Tour of Britain organiser SweetSpot. Unlike previous years, the broadcast times varied throughout because of the Rugby World Cup, which arguably makes the figures even more impressive.
Boom's gold rush in Stoke-on-Trent
The highlights were screen daily by twelve channels worldwide, ranging from SBS in Australia to Sky New Zealand.
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SweetSpot Chief Executive Hugh Roberts said: "The confirmation of our best ever viewing figures is the affirmation of what has undoubtedly been the best ever edition of The Tour."
Seven Cycles has unveiled its lightest and most technically advance cyclo-cross bike yet, the MudhoneyPRO.
Weighing in at just 2.9lbs, the MudhoneyPRO is the culmination of a two-year project and has evolved from the Elium SLX range.
Chainstays and bottom bracket aside, all tubes on the bike are carbon.
Prices for the frame range from £4975, with the frame and fork option clocking in at £5515.
>>>We want to hear what's happening in your area. To submit your stories for CW's British news round-up, please email Nick Bullor Richard Abraham>>>
>>To catch up on previous weeks' round-ups see the British news round-up index page>>>
Related links
British News round-up: 2011 index page
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Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.
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