FOR one competitor starting the Tour of Britain on Saturday, riding in Scunthorpe will be something of a homecoming.

Ben Swift, 21, of Rotherham, started his cycling at the velodrome in the town competing for the Scunthorpe Poly Cycling Club.

A veteran of the tour, Swift is tackling the British race for the fourth time - and he already has an outstanding record in the contest, winning the King of the Mountains jersey in 2007.

Now based in Italy, he is a member of new pro-cycling outfit Team Katusha, Swift's first professional team.

He said: "I'm enjoying it and everything seems to be going quite well.

"My season so far has been really good. I can't complain at all, much better than I've expected. I've quite regularly been finishing top-10."

And he's hopeful of building on his solid record in the Tour of Britain when the eight-day race begins this weekend.

Being a member of a professional team for the first time should be a big advantage, Swift said.

"I definitely want to try and win a stage and get my first professional win," he said.

"I've hopefully got a good chance. I've got enough experience now and I've got close in the past.

"Hopefully this year it will happen."

For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.