THERE was huge excitement in Chirk as cyclists taking part in the Women's Tour cycle race sped through the town in wet conditions.

The Women's Tour, the sister race of the Tour of Britain began in Colchester on Monday, June 6 and passed through Chirk on Thursday.

Police motorcyclists were seen clearing Church Street to make way for the huge group of tightly-packed cyclists who sped through the town.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stage 2 of The Women's Tour; Wrexham to Welshpool passing through our area in Selattyn. <a href="https://t.co/Z7RaMUlVqu">pic.twitter.com/Z7RaMUlVqu</a></p>— Oswestry SNT (@OsCops) <a href="https://twitter.com/OsCops/status/1534860098668986368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Chirk resident Ann Richards had seen races in other parts of the country and admitted she was excited to see a cycle race in the town.

"It is fabulous," she said.

"We have travelled hundreds of miles (to watch races) and to see it come to our own town is fantastic.

"We have travelled to Yorkshire to see the World Championship, Cumbria to see the Men's Tour, we go to all the local ones."

Ann and friend Kathleen Morris felt the publicity would be great for Chirk and the surrounding areas.

Kathleen said some people watch cycling because of the scenery.

She added: "That is why people watch cycling on the TV because they see all the lovely scenery."

Louise Parkinson owns a hairdressing salon, Millennium Hair, and she said it was nice to see people in Chirk.

She added: "I just thought it was brilliant.

"Nice to see people in Chirk even though the weather was not very good.

"I did not think it was going to be so big.

"I thought where are all these coming from?

"It was like a swarm, I loved it."

Geri Jones, who works in the hairdressers added: "What a wonderful thing, just really great to see.

"Seeing all the police, you could just tell what a big event it is.

"I don't think we as a small village were aware of what we have just seen really.

"Quite privileged."

Dave Ward from Jamie Ward's Traditional Family Butchers said it weas a nice surprise for shop owners.

"It was good, something a little bit different," he said.

"A bit of excitement in the middle of the day we don't usually have.

"Nice to see all the shop owners out as well.

"Shame the weather wasn't a little bit better."

Claire Ward works in Gerrards Bakers and said she was surprised hearing the police sirens.

"It was actually quite exciting as I had forgotten it was on today," she said.

"I heard the police bikes and the sirens and I thought what on earth is that.

"And there was this wall of cyclists coming towards me.

"Just had a gentleman coming to buy some bread and he was really excited to see it.

"It is nice to have something to look at."

The race will finish later in the day in Welshpool.