Cycling has become hugely popular in the United Kingdom in recent years, helped in no small part by the efforts of the likes of Victoria Pendleton and Sir Chris Hoy.
Professional cycling events regularly attract huge crowds, with the top riders competing in races in towns, cities and villages all over the country.
Read on for our top four events worth checking out this summer.
Tour de Yorkshire
This year’s event will take place over four days during early May in towns and cities across the Yorkshire region.
Beverley, Doncaster and Sheffield are amongst the destinations on this year’s route and bumper crowds are expected to attend once again.
Over two million spectators watched the action in 2017, generating over £60 million for the Yorkshire economy and plenty more for the videoslots industry as people relaxed online at the end of a busy day.
The race sweeps into Leeds on the final day and reaches a rip-roaring conclusion on The Headrow – on exactly the same spot as where the Tour de France started in 2014.
Ryedale Grand Prix
This August event featured as the National Road Race Championship in 2005, 2008 and 2012.
The Ryedale Grand Prix moved to Ampleforth Abbey in 2013 and the stunning grounds have played host to some thrilling racing, across a setting that provides iconic photographs and lasting memories.
Nestling between the City of York and Heritage Coastline, Ryedale is a diverse and beautiful area of spectacular scenery, bustling market towns, dale and hill farms, and picturesque villages.
Cyclone Festival of Cycling
The 2018 British Road National Championships will be held in Northumberland between June 28 and July 1, forming part of the Cyclone Festival of Cycling.
The Championships will take place in Northumberland for the first time since 2011, when Bradley Wiggins and Lizzie Armitstead took the road race titles, and will once again incorporate the Beaumont Trophy and the Curlew Cup from the domestic calendar.
The professional races will form part of the wider Cyclone Festival of Cycling, which includes rides for families through the centres of Newcastle and Gateshead on June 29, and a sportive event on June 30 which offers routes of between 34 and 104 miles for keen amateur riders.
European Cycling Championships
Cycling history will be made at Glasgow 2018 with the European Cycling Championships in four different disciplines taking place in the same city simultaneously for the first time ever.
Around 800 of the best cyclists from Track, Road, BMX and Mountain Biking will go head-to-head with one goal in mind – to become champion of Europe.
Glasgow is famed for its culture and shopping, making it the perfect base to enjoy Scotland’s famous hospitality.
