RACE director Nigel Bishop is predicting star-studded fields for this year's Otley Town Centre Cycle Races.

He is excited by the presence of the top British men's and women's professional teams for an event he likes to call "a carnival with a cycle race."

Two-time winner Scott Thwaites from Burley-in-Wharfedale heads the strong local contingent in the men's elite race.

The Team Dimension Data rider can expect huge support as can teenage sensation Tom Pidcock.

The world junior cyclo cross champion recently became the first guest rider to win a British Tour series race in Durham for his Otley-based PH-MAS/ Paul Milnes /Oldfield team.

Keighley's Tom Moses and Skipton Pete Williams are also due to line-up for a race that has attracted all Britain's top pro teams.

Last year's winner Chris Lawless is back to defend his title and Ed Clancy will be riding for JLT Condor.

The women's race has also attracted the top domestic team and Bishop is delighted that all of the races will be fully subscribed.

"People love coming to Otley to ride," said Bishop who is in his second year as race director.

"The crowds are only bettered in this country by the Tour de Yorkshire, and the people will be out in force again.

"Otley has its own special atmosphere and the event has just kept on growing.

"It is testament to the people on my committee that this event is so highly regarded.

"The scale of it is incredible and I found myself the other morning waking up at 4am and writing down all the things I still needed to do."

This year's race is being filmed by Eurosport for transmission at a later date and has new title sponsors in Logco Manufacturing, a Leeds-based company who specialise in environmentally-friendly oils for the construction industry.