On Wednesday 22nd June 2016 Ilkley Cycling Club will again be hosting an evening of town centre cycle racing. This is the third year in a row when cyclists will compete on a challenging 1.5 km circuit around Riddings Road hill with a high-speed finish along The Grove.

Last year’s elite men’s winner, ONE Pro Cycling’s Pete Williams, went on to claim the King of the Mountains and Sprints titles at the Tour of Britain, local pro Scott Thwaites has been duelling with the biggest names in the sport at the one-day Classics with his Bora-Argon 18 team, while fast-emerging Tom Pidcock finished a brilliant fifth in the World Junior Cyclo-Cross Championships.

The first races of the evening will give the next wave of racers the chance to shine. At 6.00pm, the Under 14s race begins the event. That will be followed by the Under 16s race, sponsored by MAS Designs.

This year will see the town’s local bike shop Ilkley Cycles sponsor the Ilkley Cycles Grand Prix race, which is scheduled to start at 7pm.

With a prize for the fastest lap, this race should be lively from the off. AvantiGas continue their generous sponsorship of the women’s race, which this year has prize lists for elite riders and three other categories, giving “four races in one” with something to compete for within each category. This will start at 7.45pm.

Lister Horsfall will once again sponsor the last race of the evening, the elite and higher category Men’s race.

Within that race, riders will compete for two sprint prizes provided by La Stazione.

There will be a bar provided by Ilkley Brewery and a BBQ from David Lishman. Both will be located near the Band Stand on the inside of the circuit.

Barriers will be set out around the circuit from 4pm and the racing will start at 6pm. The Grove will re-open at 10.30pm.

The Club is grateful for the support that Ilkley residents and businesses continue to give the Ilkley Cycle Races, including the grant received from the Parish Council to cover infrastructure costs. The event could not take place without the assistance and co-operation of Bradford Council.