WITH only days to go until the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire Otley is buzzing with excitement.

Preparations for Saturday are all in place with council chiefs promising a "fantastic" spectacle.

Otley is hosting the start of both the women's race, featuring Otley's own World Champion Lizzie Armistead, and stage two of the men's competition.

Both will start on a closed section of Boroughgate, with the riders following a ceremonial route around the town.

Spectators will see them as they pass along Westgate, Piper Lane, Bradford Road, West Chevin Road, Burras Lane, Station Road, Bondgate, Crossgate, Nelson Street, Walkergate and Cross Green.

They will then head towards Pool-in-Wharfedale on the A659, where the race will officially begin.

With the women's race starting at 8.15am, those roads will be affected by closures between 7.45am and 8.45am.

The men's stage, meanwhile, following the same,136km route to Doncaster, starts at 2.20pm, with the roads affected again between 1.45pm and 2.45pm.

Otley is decked out with banners, flags and bunting in readiness for the big day, and town council chairman, Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield), is predicting an unforgettable occasion.

He said: "After the huge success of the Tour de France Grand Depart and last year’s Tour de Yorkshire, and with our proud heritage of hosting the annual road races, Otley is proud to be the host start town for stage two of this year’s Tour.

"The excitement and buzz is building and we have been working hard to provide a full day's entertainment for our residents and visitors alike, to make this a memorable occasion for all.

"This will undoubtedly be a fantastic event for Otley, especially given that we are a cycling town and the proud home of World Road Racing Champion Lizzie Armitstead. We are particularly looking forward to supporting Lizzie through the streets of her home town and welcoming everyone to Otley."

Former Olympic silver medalist, Emma Pooley, will also be taking part in the women's race, while Sir Bradley Wiggins will be competing in the men's event along with Team Sky’s Lars Petter Nordhaug and current British road champion, Pete Kennaugh.

Otley Town Council, working with Leeds City Council, have organised a variety of complementary attractions throughout the day, including street entertainers, marching bands, fairground rides and buskers.

Young riders from Otley Cycle Club's Mini-Flyers will set off along the route before the women’s race, while pupils from all the local primary schools and Prince Henry’s Grammar School will ride out before the men’s event.

The Market Square will be used as the official sign-in position, with riders parading along Market Street, and a large screen will be in place there, too, showing live TV coverage.

Another big screen showing the action will form part of a free ‘spectator hub’ on Garnett’s Field, next to the river.

Indoor television coverage and refreshments will also be provided at Otley Rugby Club and Otley Courthouse, along with several churches, shops, cafes and other businesses.

Leeds City Council leader, Cllr Judith Blake (Lab, Middleton Park), said: "This is a great opportunity to put Otley on the map and, as with the Tour de France, we know visitors will benefit from a fantastic Yorkshire welcome."

l Meanwhile, a photo has emerged this week capturing the moment when Lizzie Armitstead first showed her prowess on a bike.

Back in 1999, aged just eight, Lizzie took part in Otley mini triathlon and raced to victory.

The event involved a swim, run and cycle ride, and the current women's World Road Race Champion took first place.

John Morgan, who was chairman of Otley Sports Council, which organised the event, said. "You could see then that Lizzie was a natural athlete and a real competitor.

"I am absolutely delighted to see what she has achieved since then. It is great for Otley to have such a fine champion, and we are all so proud of her."