A former national champion completed a stage route of a national cycle race on a Penny Farthing.

Dave Preece, the 2014 British Open Penny Farthing racing champion, tackled the 14.4-kilometre (8.9-mile) route of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain's Pershore individual time trial stage that will welcome the world’s best riders on Thursday September 12.

Pershore resident Mr Preece completed the stage in 40 minutes and 24 seconds at an average speed of 21.4kph (13.3mph). It is expected that the Tour of Britain stage winner will post a time of approximately 20 minutes.

He said: “I'm so pleased that my home town of Pershore hosts the race’s individual time trial stage. Like many people who will be watching this year’s Tour I was keen to ride the course to see how I matched up to the professionals."

“The course will provide some great racing. It has a few short, sharp climbs; some technical turns, and what will be a very fast last mile coming back down the hill into Pershore.