ELITE cycle racing will return to Durham in the spring, it has been announced.

The Pearl Izumi Tour Series will again hold one of its stages in the historic city, it was confirmed today (Thursday, February 26).

The team-based race, which attracts some of the country’s top cyclists and thousands of spectators, will take place on Thursday, May 28.

It will be the fifth stage of ten, with the series starting on the Isle of Wight on May 14 and ending in Bath on June 11.

Highlights of all the early evening races will be shown the following night on ITV4.

It was estimated last year’s Durham race generated nearly £300,000 for the local economy.

Mick Bennett, race director of series organisers SweetSpot, said: “We are delighted to announce the seventh series of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series with prestigious new venues and high-profile new teams.

“The season ahead is certainly going to be highly competitive and we look forward to what will be an action-packed five weeks of competition with Britain’s fastest teams vying for the title.”

Kellie Parsons, marketing director of series sponsors Madison, said: “Last year’s series was a huge success and the line-up of venues sets the tone for an exciting five weeks of racing.”

This will be the sixth year Durham has hosted a race, with cyclists hurtling round the tight, cobbled and excruciatingly steep 1.4km circuit at speeds of up to 50kph.

Entry to watch the race from the pavements is free.

For more information, visit tourseries.co.uk