"THIS event will leave a legacy for years to come" - that is the bold statement from Stockton Council chiefs ahead of the start of the Stockton Cycling Festival.

The festivities begin this evening with the British Cycling National Road Championships time trial around the town's streets and climax with the road race on Sunday. In between there are all manner of cycling-related events aimed at getting people on two wheels.

The likes of former British and World Champion Mark Cavendish, defending National Road Champion Lizzie Armitstead - who is also current World Road Champion - women’s National Time Trial Champion Hayley Simmonds and men’s National Time Trial Champion Alex Dowsett will be turning their pedals around the regenerated town centre.

Councillor Norma Wilburn, Stockton Borough Council’s Cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, said: “I’d urge everyone to embrace these championships and come down to Stockton Town Centre across the four days to sample the festival atmosphere and enjoy some thrilling sporting action.

“We have some of the world’s best competitors coming to compete right here on our doorstep so this is a real chance to be part of an event that will leave a legacy in the Borough and be remembered for years to come.

“There’s so much on offer for all ages at the festival, including a family festival day on Sunday, so there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy.

“Bring your family and your friends to Stockton and cheer on the cyclists as they race around the town centre and out into the wider Borough before returning for thrilling sprint finishes on the High Street.”

The Time Trial will see Simmonds race in the North-East for the first time with her title on the line, while Dowsett bids for a record fifth British time trial championship.

Racing begins at 1pm with the under-23 men’s time trial, followed at 3.15pm by the Women’s race and the Men’s race at 5.30pm.

Alongside the time trials, the popular StreetVelodrome returns for the only time in the North-East this year. The pop-up track, based at the Knowle Street car park, will see local school groups take on the challenge.

StreetVelodrome will welcome elite riders on Saturday, while it will be open to the public during the family fun day on Sunday.

Youth racing is the order of the day on Friday between 6pm and 9pm as the future stars of the sport race around the unique town centre circuit and is ran in partnership with British Cycling and local cycling group Stockton Wheelers.

Saturday witnesses the return of the popular Stockton Sportive which sees cyclists of all ability challenging themselves across four race distances – from the Spin route of 36.7 miles up to the gruelling Le Tour De Moor which will see riders clock up 105.8 miles and climb 11,027 feet.

All routes start and end at Stockton Riverside, with the longer routes taking in the breath-taking scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors.

Meanwhile, the women’s road race begins at 9am on Sunday, while the men’s competition starts at 1pm with action expected to conclude around 6pm.

The Sunday also plays host to the Family Festival Day which offers a huge variety of cycling themed activities for all ages to enjoy including cycle tracks, unicycle displays, a BMX jump box and facepainting. There will also be a cycling expo village for visitors to explore.

In addition, there is RideStockton at 1pm on Sunday, where anyone can bring their bike and cycle a closed road loop around a traffic free Stockton High Street and take in the views of the River Tees.

For more information about Stockton Cycling Festival, www.stockton.gov.uk/scf

For details on road closures and restrictions visit www.stockton.gov.uk/cyclingclosures