SUPERBIKE superstar Carl Fogarty ensured he made opening the new road in his home town named after him into a ‘wheelie’ special occasion.

Blackburn’s TV King of the Jungle broke the celebration tape on the new 600-metre highway with the front of his CCM ‘Foggy Edition’ Spitfire high in the air.

After bursting through the ribbon held by his wife Michaela and 24-year-old daughter Claudia, he said: “I’m so proud.

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“I didn’t think this would mean so much to me.

“It’s an honour to have a road in my home town named after me. I am over the moon.”

The new highway from the Red Lion roundabout near M65 junction six to Bottomgate is the last section of the £4.8million Furthergate Link Road.

This morning a crowd of fans, well-wishers and bikers gathered near Gorse Street at the rear of Burnley Road to see ‘Foggy’ take to two wheels to open the new road to the town centre.

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After a couple of high-speed circuits, he raced towards the ribbon and performed a wheelie as he broke through it to signal Carl Fogarty Way was ready for traffic.

The four-time World Superbike champion is one of a just a handful of Blackburn celebrities to have a road named after them including former MP Barbara Castle, Blackburn Rover’s Premiership-winning striker Alan Shearer, the club’s benefactor Jack Walker and walking guru Alfred Wainwright.

Mr Fogarty, 53, said: “This is quite something. It’ll probably become known as ‘Foggy Way’. It’ll be here long after I’m gone.

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“It’s up there with my superbike titles, winning I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and my MBE. My great-grandchildren will be able to come and sit beside it.”

Among the guests was Blackburn with Darwen Borough’s motorcycling Mayor Cllr Jim Shorrock who took his trike, nicknamed The Beast, out for a spin with his hero.

He said: “This fulfils a long-held ambition to ride out with Foggy."

Cllr Phil Riley, council regeneration boss, said: “It exciting to name this road after Carl and have him open it. He is a true local hero and sporting legend.”

Mr Fogarty, who was born and raised in Blackburn and went to Darwen Vale High School, now lives in Mellor.

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