CYCLISTS from all over the country are coming to the region this weekend to take part in a gruelling contest on two wheels.

British Cycling’s Elite Road Series is returning to Derwent Reservoir, which straddles the borders of County Durham and Northumberland on Saturday and Sunday.

The Northumbrian Water reservoir will feature men’s and women’s cycling across both days.

Mike Hodgson, event organiser 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.”

The Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir leaves from Blanchland and will see female riders start the two-day event at 8.50am on Saturday before cycling 32 miles.

On Sunday, riding gets underway in the women’s event at 8.50am for a total of five laps, finishing after 68 miles.

The annual Northumbrian Water Tour of the Reservoir road race, now in its eleventh year, has expanded from a single day race to a two stage ‘tour’ event, attracting some of the best riders.

Stage one of the race, on Saturday, is an 87 mile uphill circuit starting in Blanchland at 12.30pm. Cyclists will complete seven gruelling laps of the tough roads around Blanchland and Edmundbyers to compete for selection for day two of the event.

Riders who qualify to race on day two, on Sunday, will then battle it out over seven laps, 96 miles, circling Derwent Reservoir and Blanchland village.

Cyclists will set off at 1.45pm, again from the race headquarters in Blanchland village, racing at speeds of up to 60mph.