DOZENS of Britain’s best cyclists will take to the winding roads around one of the region’s reservoirs as an annual elite race returns later this month.

Reaching speeds of up to 60mph, cyclists will compete over two days on a picturesque course around the three-and-a-half mile long Derwent Reservoir over the weekend of April 16 and 17.

The Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir women’s race starts on Saturday, leaving the historic village of Blanchland at 8.50am followed by a 32-mile race through the County Durham and Northumberland countryside.

Racing resumes at 8.50am on Sunday for five laps of the reservoir, finishing after 68 miles.

The men’s Northumbrian Water Tour of the Reservoir road race, now in its eleventh year, takes place over two days, starting from Blanchland at 12.30pm at the start of seven gruelling laps of the reservoir totalling 87 miles.

Best viewing points include Manor House Bank, Carrick’s corner and at the race finish-line on the dam wall.

Riders who qualify for the second day’s racing will battle it out over 96 miles on Sunday, starting at 1.45pm, completing seven laps of the reservoir and Blanchland village.

Best viewing points include Carrick’s corner, Horse Shoe Hill, Church Bank in Edmundbyers and the race finish, again on the dam wall.

Event organiser Mike Hodgson, from Tyne Valley Cycle club, said: “We know the conditions really test the riders, as the weather can change very quickly as we saw last year when we had blizzards.

“The event is billed locally as a mini Tour de France and always attracts the best cyclists in Britain. The new race route offers some fantastic vantage points and it’s great fun to watch.”

David Hall of Northumbrian Water, who will present the winner’s sash on the reservoir dam wall podium, said: “It’s a real coup to have secured yet another premier calendar race around the spectacular backdrop of Derwent Reservoir.

“The event is a huge boost for the area and North East tourism as it usually brings in a huge number of spectators.”

Drivers are advised there will be rolling road closures around Derwent Reservoir between 8.30am and 5pm on Saturday and 8.30am and 6pm on Sunday, including a short stretch of the A68.