Your online edition reports that the organisers of the Halford’s Tour Cycling Event that took place in Oxford are satisfied with the number of spectators turning out to view the cyclists.

Small wonder! Information supplied to us by the deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Rodney Rose, indicates that the council has spent more than £60,000 of public money, most going to the organisers, to enable this event to take place in Oxford.

At about 7pm this evening, we estimate that some 1,500 people were watching the event.

The other people in the centre of one of Oxford’s busiest streets were simply trying to get home.

And, in all the neighbouring colleges, students with exams the next day were trying to blot out the noise.

We do not want to deny that a band of enthusiasts have had a successful and pleasurable evening.

But if this is subsidised at about £40 per head from public money, it is unsurprising that the organisers declare themselves to be pleased.

Sir MICHAEL SCHOLAR, president, Prof ANDREW PARKER, principal bursar, St John’s College, Oxford,