As Newcastle gears up top host a major cycling event this summer, organisers are broadening its appeal still further by adding an extra race to the big day.
On July 10 the city will host a stage of National Circuit Series , which will involve around 80 professional cyclists in an hour-long race starting and finishing at Grey's Monument.
And now a new Newcastle City Sprint also will take place in the run-up to the main event so that under-16s too can share in the day of sport.
Business improvement district company NE1 Ltd has teamed up with British Cycling; Velo 29; Newcastle City Council and HSBC UK to stage the debut youth race, which will act as a warm-up to the later action and will see some of Britain’s leading under-14 and under-16 racers compete on a reduce-size circuit.
And the young entrants will be able to enjoy a share of the building atmosphere ahead of the arrival of that evening's elite event when crowds are expected to line the streets to watch the professionals ride laps of a 1km route starting at the Monument at 8pm.
Major cycling events tend to draw huge numbers of spectators, as seen when the Tour of Britain passed through Blyth last year.
And Newcastle is said to have scored a coup in securing one of the races in the National Circuit Series which is a highlight of British Cycling’s road racing calendar.
Leading up to the so-called 'Nocturn race', the buzz will be building in the city with the arrival of the race teams and their entourage and the pop-up of a race zone near the Monument.
The race's tight, highly-technical route will take in Grainger Town, including the city's famous Grey Street, as well as Clayton Street; Nelson Street; the Bigg Market and Nun Street and will include challenging bends with 90 degree angles.
The race forms a midpoint in the six-event series. Round one will be the Otley Grand Prix on July 3 and round six will be the Sheffield Grand Prix on July 24 .
