UK's top stars fail to commit

GUERNSEY'S first top class cycling event, scheduled for this coming weeklend, was called off due to a lack of interest.

Titled the Guernsey Grand Prix and sponsored by International Administration Guernsey Ltd, the round St Peter Port race was aiming to attract big names of the quality of Olympic star Bradley Wiggins.

The plan was to attract more than 40 top riders with a substantial prize fund of £6,000, believed to be the biggest in the UK for an event this size, and by subsidising their travel costs.

However, the Guernsey Velo Club received only 13 entries for the National A class race.

'It is with regret that the Guernsey Velo Club and the sponsors, International Administration Guernsey Ltd, have taken the decision to cancel the IAG Grand Prix and supporting events on 27 and 28 September due to lack of entries,' said GVC president Gary Wallbridge (pictured).

'We believe the main reasons for the low numbers are the current economic uncertainty in the UK and the high cost of travel to the island, recently compounded due to the high cost of fuel.'