Swift hoping to fly in Franco-Belge race

ANSTON’S Ben Swift is in road cycling action this weekend in the Circuit Franco-Belge.

The Team Sky star joins Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas, alongside Davide Appollonio, Juan Antonio Flecha, Jeremy Hunt, Ian Stannard and Chris Sutton, for the four-stage, 671.8km race.

Thursday’s stage one was to take the riders from La Louviere to Menin, before the 178.5km stage two ride between Antoing and Poperinge.

Saturday will see them ride from Peruwelz to Ichtegem, Flanders, and the toughest stage is on Sunday, a 153.8km ride from Mons to Tournal.