ENTRIES are open for a closed road cycling event in County Durham, set to take place later this year.

The Vélo North, comprised of a 50mile and 100mile route, starting and finishing in Durham city, takes place on Sunday, September 1.

Up to 15,000 cyclists can take part in the event.

Details of the route, and which roads will be closed, have not yet been released but the event will start and finish outside Durham Cathedral and will go through Lanchester, Stanhope, Teesdale and Bishop Auckland.

The Northern Echo:

The Velo North is set to take place in September. The new event was launched by former England rugby player Martin Johnson in February

Alistair Foster, head of marketing for the Vélo Series, said: “We’re thrilled the launch of Vélo North has been so well received, with thousands of entries being sold already.

“As the only closed road cycling event in the North of England, this is a huge event for Durham and so we’re extremely excited and encouraged by the number of people who have signed up. Cycling on closed roads through the spectacular County Durham countryside alongside thousands of like-minded will be a truly fantastic experience for participants and we can’t wait to deliver an unforgettable event on Sunday, September 1.”

Cyclists can also sign up to enter through charity partner Prostate Cancer UK.

More details are available on the event’s website, www.velonorth.com.