ONE of the biggest names in British Cycling will ride into Abergavenny next week to participate in the town's Festival of Cycling.

Team GB coach Shane Sutton, who is busy gearing the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and Wales' Geraint Thomas into shape for their pursuit of Olympic glory, is taking time out from the London 2012 preparations to talk at the Borough Theatre on Saturday July 14.

Festival organiser Bill Owen has added a Fringe Festival to this year's event and Sutton will be joined by The Guardian's cycling correspondent William Fotheringham and author Rob Penn.

When the festival wheels into action in earnest next Thursday there will also be a free showing of Blood, Sweat and Gears at The King's Arms. The film charts the story of an unique American professional cycling team, devoted to cleaning up the sport and succeeding in the Tour de France

The Festival of Cycling has also received another boost with new figures showing how cycling, both competitive and recreational, is the leading sport for participation in the country.

Owen was delighted by the survey and said it is evidence that the drive towards getting people active has boosted cycling, with Abergavenny set to be a big beneficiary in the future with the backing of Monmouthshire County Council who are aiming to turn the town into the cycling capital of Wales.

Owen said, "We have always looked at the Festival of Cycling to be about putting on events for people to enjoy riding as well as there being a competitive element to it.

"Our Friday evening Welsh Open Criteriums are now a combination of both, with the youngsters and town's business community riding around the streets for fun before the professionals take part in the Elite Series race.

"But the Iron Mountain Sportif is the centrepiece, where people are able to ride the same course that the stars, who are now riding the Tour de France, were on for the 2009 National Road Championships.

"It is also a great bonus to have Shane Sutton joining us. He is going to be with the British Olympic team in Newport as they put their final preparations together for the Games. So to spare some time to talk at the Festival is a real thrill for everyone.

"The Festival is beginning to grow bigger and better every year, and we hope for another great entry list this year."

Entries and details of all events taking place between Thursday July 12 and Sunday July 15 are on the Festival website http://www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.com">www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.com.

The site also contains all the routes, maps and other details about the entire Festival weekend activities.