TOP cyclist Shanaze Reade is heading up Team Wigan as the Street Velodrome returns to Leigh next week.

The world champion cyclist will be taking to the pop-up track which this year is moving next to Leigh Town Hall, making it more accessible for all.

The Leigh weekend will include the second round of the Viking StreetVelodrome Series, which will see Shanaze and Team Wigan compete against five other sides next Sunday.

It follows gold medal rides for Team Wigan’s Patrick Robinson and Sophie Bagnall in the men’s and women’s series at the tournament opener in Dublin last weekend.

Anyone can follow in Team Wigan’s footsteps next Saturday, when the velodrome is open to the public for free from 11am to 6pm, with all equipment supplied.

Schools across the area will also get the chance to try out cycling on the track, with the team providing expert tuition next Thursday and Friday.

The event is a coup for Leigh, which hosted the Street Velodrome at Pennington Flash Country Park last year.

Other Street Velodrome venues include Canary Wharf in London and Newmarket Racecourse.

The event fits into the £5 million fund aimed at improving the area around Leigh town centre and should help to bolster the town's redevelopment.

Street Velodrome will also help to kick-start the first of two Wellfest weeks across the borough which encourage people to do something to improve their health and wellbeing.

Cllr Keith Cunliffe, portfolio holder for adult social care and health at Wigan Council, said: “This really is an event that is not to be missed and it is happening right here in Leigh as the perfect curtain-raiser for Wellfest.

"With top talent like Shanaze on hand to inspire the next generation of cyclists, we are hoping that in future we will have world champions of our own to boast about in the borough.

"There are plenty of opportunities for people to give it a go themselves, or if you prefer you can watch the professionals in action on the Sunday.

"What better way to watch them too with Team Wigan riding high in the tournament?

"We want as many people turning out to cheer them on to success.”

The professional events next Sunday run from noon to 4pm.