Competitive cycling will make a return to Durham City next month when the Pearl Izumi Tour Series hits the streets.
Nine teams of professional cyclists, plus a guest team, will take part in the race, which is making its comeback to the city for the sixth consecutive year on Thursday 28th May.
The teams will be competing to be named the top British cycling team and the champions of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series.
Durham County Council will be hosting the Pearl Izumi-sponsored event in partnership with race organiser Sweetspot.
Defending champions JLT Condor presented by Mavic – whose riders include Olympic champion Ed Clancy, who boasts six previous individual wins in the Series – will be among the teams in this year’s events.
Two squads will make their debut – the ONE Pro Cycling team of England cricketer Matt Prior and Team WIGGINS, the new team for Sir Bradley Wiggins. The other teams are Madison Genesis, NFTO Pro Cycling, Pedal Heaven RT, SportGrub Kuota, Team Raleigh – GAC and Velosure Starley Primal, who will be joined by one guest team at each round.
The Durham circuit – the fifth of 10 rounds in the series – is notorious for being one of the toughest courses due to the hard cobble climbs, narrow streets and tight corners which form part of the route. Riders can reach top speed of between 40kph and 50kph on the downhill stretches, which tests the sprint and controls skills of the cyclists.
This year’s fastest team will wear a new red and white Pearl Izumi jersey, which will be presented for the first time to the winning team following the opening Team Time Trial, in Ryde, Isle of Wight on Thursday 14 May. The Durham round on Thursday 28 May starts at 7.30pm and pre-race action, including live music, begins at around 4.30pm.
Spectators are advised to arrive early and plan their journey into the city in advance. Free evening parking will be available at the County Hall car park and at the park and ride sites at Howlands and Sniperley. The park and ride buses will not be operating but the car parks are being made available for those wishing to walk into town. Further information available at www.tourseries.co.uk or www.thisisdurham.com

Bike Race Durham