YORKSHIRE is yet again the centre of British cycle racing this summer, particularly for town centre racing.

These races are a great watch for spectators, as the evening races take place on the closed streets and roads, with lots of opportunities to watch the riders race past at high speeds.

The best domestic riders in the country will dual it out at this national series of races sees a round in Sheffield in Jul, but first to Otley and Ilkley this month on the 28th and 30th June respectively. Action gets underway in Otley tonight.

Otley hosts the longest standing town centre race in the country. It’s heritage is impressive as winners in its 36 years include local star Lizzy Deignan, prolific Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish and Olympic champion Tom Pidcock. All three of these also have world champion titles to their names. Anyone who’s anyone in the cycling world, past and present has raced at Otley including Bradley Wiggins and Ed Clancy.

These sorts of races provide crucial experience in the development of British riders that want to go on to be the best in the world.

Tom Pidcock said: “Otley was always my favourite race of the year. It’s local, the crowds are brilliant and it’s a pretty technical course that you can learn to race properly on.”

“They also provide a great experience for those that are not quite so successful – you can’t beat racing in front of big crowds whether you want to be world champion or you’re a keen amateur.

“The crowds are always massive at Otley and many businesses have their busiest day of the year on race day. This makes for a great atmosphere whether you enjoy bike racing, or just want to come out for a pint or fish and chips. Youth races commence at 6pm. There are races throughout the evening finishing as the sun sets at 9.40 when the elite men will cross the finish line.

“In contrast, Ilkley is the new kid on the block in terms of its town centre races but its no worse for that. It draws big crowds and has a great atmosphere but in a more sedate manner just as you’d expect from Ilkley. There’s a brutal hill on the course for the riders to climb – this is a great place to cheer them on as they suffer. There are plenty of opportunities for a local beer and splendid supper in one of the bars or restaurants along the course. It coincides with the Tour de France Grand Depart in Bilbao so if you can’t make it to Spain, you can catch some top-notch live cycling action here instead.”