TRADERS in Abergavenny could rub shoulders with Olympic champions if they take up a challenge offered by businessman Damian Cole.

Mr Cole, Get Connected managing director, has challenged the town's businessmen and women to get on their bikes and take the title of the champion rider around the town in the Get Connected! Welsh Open Town Centre Races on June 26.

The Abergavenny Traders Fun Race will be part of a Friday night spectacular which will open the main weekend of action at the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling.

Competitors will be on the start line just minutes before Olympic champions from Beijing and professional Tour de France riders take part in the main event of the now-traditional Festival weekend opener.

Mr Cole said the organisers were looking for something to fill in the gap between the juniors and the professionals, "What better way to do it than for everyone to get involved, have some fun and promote local businesses at the same time.

"Colleagues can come along and cheer on their rider, it should be great fun."

Each business can enter one rider in the Abergavenny Traders Fun Race, starting around 7.30pm on closed roads in the town centre.

And competitors - only one entry from each business - do not need fancy bikes to take part either, riders must pedal a steel framed mountain bike with knobbly tyres only.

The rules are that competitors must work in Abergavenny and be physically fit to complete the ten lap race around the half-mile circuit , around five miles.

Entries for the event are £10, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers and there will also be a donation to a local charity.

Closing date for entries is Friday, June 19 and forms to enter the unique event, plus further information, are available from Gwyn Williams on 07813 524767 or by e-mailing [email protected]">[email protected].