LIVE timing will be featured in Ilkley Cycling Club's White Rose Classic Sportive for the first time this year.

Friends and family will be able to monitor their riders' progress on their smartphones or on big screens in local cafes and pubs. Although professional races have live tracking and timing, as well as some triathlons, this level of community engagement through the live broadcast of event data is rare in amateur cycling events.

"Rather than football matches played hundreds of miles away, we look forward to tuning into the live broadcast of the White Rose Classic on our big screen," said Jo Zezulka, of Ilkley Moor Vaults. "Once riders have set off friends and family can explore Ilkley and stop in at the pub to watch the event's progress. There are a lot of athletic events in the area in the summer and this is the first tine we have had an opportunity like this to actively participate."

The White Rose Classic, now in its sixth year being run by the Ilkley Cycling Club, is one of the largest volunteer-run sportives in the country. There are three routes for cycling enthusiasts looking to explore Wharfedale and the Yorkshire Dales. The event for 1,000 riders is on Sunday, June 25 starting from Ilkley Rugby Club.

"We have a big screen where we show the Tour de France, Tour de Yorkshire, and other professional cycling races," said Gavin Smith, of The Commute Cafe in Ilkley. "This is a great opportunity for our customers to monitor the event via the live data from our own local White Rose Classic."

Also new this year, rides will receive a White Rose Classic meal voucher which will allow them to enjoy lunch along the route at select cafes. "One of our planning priorities for this year has been to engage with the communities we ride through," said Scott Blau, volunteer event organiser.

"Live timing and a meal voucher are a couple of ways for us to have the riders and families be a part of the community, if only for the day they visit the area."

The White Rose Classic has been run since 2012 by the Ilkley Cycling Club. It is organised and run by volunteers in conjunction with British Cycling. Entry fees go towards promoting local grass-roots cycling initiatives encouraging more men and women to ride bikes, and a very active youth-development programme.

For more information visit: ilkleycyclingclub.org.uk/white-rose-classic-2017. Entry is via British Cycling at: http:bit.ly/2hpNcBn