THOUSANDS of spectators are expected to line the route when a top cycle race returns to a city’s cobbled streets this summer.

Durham is to host the penultimate round of the televised Tour Series cycle race on Saturday, May 27.

Organisers expect that the Saturday fixture, which replaces the race’s traditional midweek slot, will mean more families are able to watch the action as the race passes through the historic city centre.

Cllr Maria Plews, cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning at Durham County Council, said: “The Tour Series cycling is a fantastic event that in previous years has brought thousands of people out onto the city’s streets, contributed hundreds of thousands of pounds to the county’s economy and helped raise our profile regionally, nationally and internationally.

“With the race this year moving to a Saturday night I hope to see many more families taking the opportunity to discover how the hard cobbled climbs, narrow streets and tight corners of our medieval surroundings make for some superb sporting action.

“And I hope by welcoming some of the top riders in Britain to compete on what has traditionally been one of the Tour’s toughest courses it will also help to inspire more people in County Durham to saddle up and improve their own health and wellbeing.”

Now in its ninth season, The Tour Series – organised by the team behind the Tour of Britain - is a televised series of city centre cycle races with riders from seven professional men’s teams battling it out over ten rounds.

Last year, thousands of spectators lined the route of the Durham race, which takes in Cross Street, South Street, Grove Street and Margery Lane, as riders reached speeds of up to 50kph. The race was won by JLT Condor’s Welsh cyclist Jon Mould, with young North East rider Harry Tanfield finishing second.

Race director Mick Bennett, of organisers SweetSpot, said; “This year the line-up of men’s teams is incredibly strong, with no clear favourite among them for the Tour Series title.

“Fans can look forward to some amazing racing from these top-class athletes, as The Tour Series continues to provide an unparalleled platform of action, entertainment and engagement.”