Members of Hartlepool Cycling Club will be keeping a close eye on events across the Channel, as the 95th annual race begins in the Brittany town of Brest.

Two British riders are taking part in the race – David Miller, representing the Garmin team, and Mark Cavendish who is racing for Team Columbia.

Hartlepool's own club will be hoping it is not beyond the realms of possibility that one day a rider from the town will take to the mountains of the Pyrenees.

There aren't many expectations that the Tour will lead to a sudden influx of new cyclists joining the club, but members are keeping their fingers crossed that the 2012 London Olympics could be a useful recruitment drive.

Fireman Kevin Harrington is one of the youngest members of the club at 41 and is keen for an influx of more youthful riders.

"The Tour de France is a bit like Wimbledon in that people get their rackets out for a couple of weeks and then they disappear," he said.

"Our new members usually come from people who are already associated with cycling or have been forced to give up football or rugby because they don't have the stamina any more.

"It is a shame because if no-one joins the club then it will inevitably eventually fold.

"Any new member is beneficial to the club, but ideally we would like more youngsters to join.

"Hopefully with the Olympics coming up, it will make people look at different sports that they are interested in.

"We often win the most medals in cycling, so hopefully the London link will bring it on in the town."

The 12 to 15 active members of the club regularly take part in time trials and road races across the region, with the next trial taking place in Sedgefield on Saturday (2.01pm start).

There are also a group of committed riders who take to the roads most days for a gentle 30 to 40 mile trip.

Harrington said: "It is understandable that parents don't like their kids out on the roads with all the traffic, but once you get out onto the country lanes there are hardly any cars.

"Time trials are a good way of getting people introduced into the sport and we have been doing alright recently, with riders beating their own times.

"We are out most days throughout the week and it is a good way of improving your fitness. If people want to go for a ride we are more than willing to tag along."

Anyone interested in joining the club should contact Kevin Harrington on 07882 837686.