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Good afternoon, Rusty!
Wow! Good for Peter Sagan!
Sooner him than me! (she says ungrammmatically!)
I do not think that Bolton has become a city?
Unless of course this has happened unbeknown to me?
It is (I think) the UK's biggest town, and did put in for 'city' status a few years ago, but lost out to Preston.
Were I am a betting person, I would put money on it (but maybe not my shirt) that the clue is incorrect?

Elle, in Chambers - and so perhaps in crosswords - 'city' is defined as 'a large town', so the setter has got a reason, justification if he or she is looking for one!

So why then do "large towns" need to apply for "city status"?

And, no, Bolton apparently is still classified as a town.

Elle - I, too, regard Bolton as a town, and I was very surprised when I saw that definition as the very first one in Chambers. The definition goes on to list the other meanings - an incorporated town... a town on which the dignity has been conferred.

Swansea City FC changed their name (originally Swansea Town) to reflect their new status when someone decided they should be a city

Not sure if it's still the case, but a criterion for cityhood was possession of a cathedral. This makes St David's in Pembrokeshire GB's smallest city by population - about 2000!

Thanks, ChrisE - the stuff about cathedrals comes up every so often. I think St David's has been the answer in umpteen quiz shows. Chambers has as the second definition of 'city' , an incorporated town that has or has had a cathedral. I'm afraid I have no idea what an 'incorporated town' is!

Chris, I'm not sure that the cathedral status still holds good?
But I'm fairly sure that a "town" has to apply officially to become a "city"?
And Bolton did so, but lost out to Preston.....
You will probably know about that?

Hello, Elle!
Today's setter has started a controversy!
I did not know Bolton was UK's biggest town.
Chambers has "a large town" under "city", so you best hang on to your shirt!
And I have mentioned before, betting is a mug's game!
I'd say the setter is OK with the clue?
Anne Bradford has "town" under "city" and vice versa, too.
Now, time for tea!

Phew, Rusty - it's a relief that you're thinking along the same lines! We will never know if the setter was being sneaky, ie if he/she knew the Chambers definition, or if it was an error originally. Anyway, I enjoyed discovering that 'city' can mean 'large town' - it's always good to learn something new!