With only 12 days to go until the country's best professional cyclists hit the streets of Guisborough, preparations are underway to make Bank Holiday Monday, 2 May, a fun-packed day to remember for the opening round of the Tour Series 2022.
The ITV4 televised race is free to watch and a wide range of free family activities and street performances will be on offer throughout the day, kicking off from 12pm.
The women's event will get underway on Westgate at 4pm with the men's following at 6pm.
Top domestic riders and teams will feature in both races, including last year's Guisborough leg winners and men's overall champions, Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling, and reigning women's champs, CAMS – Basso.
With necessary road closures and parking restrictions in place on the day, a free park and ride shuttle service will be provided, operating from the farmer's field off Stokesley Road, TS14 8HD (at the end nearest the A173), dropping off and picking up at Fountain Street car park (TS14 6QF) within the town.
Disabled parking is available, also at Fountain Street car park, on a first come first served basis. A limited number of standard spaces will be available at Belmont House (TS14 7FD).
For those who'd prefer to leave the car at home and get into the cycling spirit, free bike parking will also be available in Fountain Street car park and will be managed by stewards.
Some of the entertainment includes modern brass bands Back Chat Brass and Fat Cat Brass, who'll be getting everyone into the Bank Holiday spirit.
There'll be sporting activities in the grounds of Gisborough Priory, provided by Everyone Active, and cycling skills workshops delivered on the home straight by British Cycling and local club, the Cleveland Wheelers.
You can expect to see face painting, street theatre acts, cycling-themed creative activities, circus skills and more in a jam-packed family day out, before the races themselves take place.
The same 1.3km route as last year takes in roads such as Westgate, Church Street, Walker's Row, North Gate, Bolckow Street and Westgate Road and many fast laps of up to 40mph will make an exhilarating spectacle for everyone watching.
Councillor Louise Westbury, cabinet member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture, said: “There's not long to go now and final preparations are being made to welcome these inspiring athletes back to Guisborough and to ensure a smooth, exciting, fun experience for everyone – from the cyclists themselves through to our own residents and visitors.
“We are privileged and proud to be hosting this free event of national sporting significance for a second time, and we hope it will be an inspirational start to the summer, where more people will be tempted to get active themselves and have fun in the process. We are looking to put on taster sessions for a whole range of sports and activities over the summer months, so watch this space."
You can follow the Tour Series on Twitter (#TourSeries), Facebook, Instagram or via the event's official website at tourseries.co.uk.