THE Tour of Britain, which will pass through the Cotswolds in Stage Seven next month, will be bringing about memories of the Milk Race 50 years ago.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain cycle race will pass through towns and villages in the Cotswolds on Saturday, September 9. 

One of the key locations which the cyclists will visit is Stow-on-the-Wold, which played a key role during the 1967 Milk Race, the most prestigious cycling event in Britain at that time.

Stage Two of the 1967 Milk Race - from Swindon to Malvern - passed through Stow on May 29.

The town was an important point on the Tour because it acted as a breakpoint with this stage was divided into two parts, with Stow as the breakpoint.

This meant that Stow hosted a finishing line and a re-start.

The morning session beginning at Swindon was also a team time trial, and resulted in the sight of a winning Soviet Union team speeding along the Fosse Way and taking the honours in Stow.

Local resident Rob Brown recalled the events of 1967: “When I watched the 1967 Tour pass through Stow, I was 14 and a keen photographer.

"I took a number of action shots at the finish line of the team time trial section in the town, and the intensity over the closing yards was really something.

"The crowd was swept along with the drama but, unlike today’s races, spectators were kept right off the road - partly I suppose because it remained open for traffic throughout!"

At that time, the tour was a strictly amateur affair, as were many of the major sporting events at that time. Like now, the field of riders in 1967 included many competitors from overseas, but that did not stop a British rider – Les West – from claiming the overall victory.  

Les is still a keen cyclist and remembers his racing days with great fondness: “I won the Tour of The Cotswolds for several years in the 1960’s – the hilly terrain suited me and there was very little traffic on the roads.

"I used to stay with friends in Gloucester before the race and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

“The cycling events in my day were on a smaller scale compared with their modern day equivalents. Nowadays, it’s great to see so much interest in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, and, indeed, cycling in general – I can’t get over the number of participants and spectators.

“I have never lost my love for the sport and the Cotswolds. Even now I still get out on my bike regularly with my local club – and I enjoy taking part in the annual time trial which takes place in the Charlbury area in September.”