Excitement is mounting as Reading prepares itself for the second stage of the Tour of Britain. Interest in the race is running high and celebrities such as George Michael, Boy George and Pete Docherty will be on hand to see the real professionals in action, although Rio Ferdinand will miss the start as he will be out shopping.

Assistant lead councillor for culture and sport Paul Gittings said: "Reading Borough Council is delighted to be hosting the second leg of the Tour of Britain. It is a great sporting event and we are really proud the race organisers have chosen our town after we paid them to come here."

Jargon Buster
The world of professional cycling can be a confusing one. What does it all mean?
Bidon: A water bottle. Handy for water soluble drugs.
Domestique: Works for soley for the benefit of the team by keeping lookout for the drug testers.
Grupetto: Disqualified dope test failures
King of the Mountains: Anyone who can cycle up Mount Pleasant without stopping.
Musette: A small lightweight cotton bag in which to hide the cyclists stash.
Soigneur: A team's drugs runner.
Stagiare: An amateur who doesn't take drugs.