THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Durham as elite cycle racing returned to the North-East.

Cycling fans rubbed shoulders with amateur photographers and families enjoying the half-term holiday as the Pearl Izumi Tour Series visited the region for the sixth consecutive year.

Nine professional teams plus local guest side Achieve Northside Skinnergate raced round the punishingly tough 1.4km circuit of the cobbled medieval city in an event said to boost the economy by several hundred thousand pounds.

Simon Henig, leader of hosts Durham County Council, said: “It’s a really great annual event for us in Durham.

“It brings the crowds out and gives us national exposure. It also encourages cycling and anything we can do to get people outdoors and fit is a good thing.”

The entertainment began with warm up races and fun from 4.30pm and although rain began to fall as the main event started at 7.30pm it quickly passed to leave a sunny, if cool, late spring evening.

The individual winner on the night was Richard Handley, who also took the highest number of points available.

Ex-cricketer Matt Prior’s One Pro Cycling was the team to claim the most points, but Madison Genesis still lead the ten-stage series overall, ahead of round six in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria tomorrow night (Friday, May 29).

Olympic and European champion Ed Clancy, the biggest name competing, recorded the fastest lap. Sadly, cycling legend Sir Bradley Wiggins did not compete for his Team Wiggins.

But there was plenty for the casual observer to enjoy, with riders reaching speeds of up to 50kph down Crossgate, crashes galore and top athletes putting everything into the steep climb up South Street.

Afterwards, Clancy said: “I love Durham but I hate this track.”

Cllr Henig said: “It’s a great way to start our summer of events, with the Brass festival, Lumiere and the cricket (England v New Zealand One Day International at Durham County Cricket Club on Saturday, June 20). We will try to continue to have it here if we possibly can.”

Highlights of the race can be seen on ITV4 on Friday (May 29) at 9pm. For more information, visit thetour.co.uk