ILKLEY has taken part in ‘50 day countdown’ event for the UCI Road World Championships.

The big cycling event will be held in Yorkshire this year, running from Saturday, September 21 to Sunday, September 29.

While Harrogate will be the hub for the championships, with all the road races finishing there, plenty of other towns and cities will also be involved.

After setting off from Bradford on September 28 the Women Elite Road Race will head through Menston (expected at 12.05pm) and Otley (12.10pm) as part of a winding, 149km route.

The 280km Men Elite Road Race takes place the following day, September 29, and, after starting in Leeds will head through Otley (9.09am), Ilkley (9.23am) and Addingham (9.29am).

To mark the 50 day countdown until the racing starts the official UCI championships flag was welcomed to City Park, Bradford on Friday, August 2.

The flag was then taken to a number of locations - and welcomed by representatives from local groups at each - before ending its tour at Ilkley Lido where it was cheered by Ilkley Cycling Club members.

Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, Councillor Sarah Ferriby, said: “We are really excited to be again welcoming top cyclists to our district, along with cycling fans from across the world for this prestigious cycling event.

“We also hope local residents and businesses from across the district will get involved. It is an incredible opportunity for us all to celebrate world class sport right on our doorstep.

“As the UCI Road World Championships get closer, there are lots of behind the scenes preparations being put in place, as well as plans for some great events for people to get involved in.”

The council is working with cycling clubs across the Bradford district and local community groups to ensure they are involved in the local celebrations and activities to welcome the race.

Among the events being planned in the build-up to the championships is a Yorkshire Women’s Proactive Cycling Conference and a mass participation cycle ride in Bradford city centre.

The Yorkshire Women’s Proactive Cycling Conference is open to all, free to attend and takes place on Thursday, September 19 at the Dubrovnik Hotel. It will feature a host of cycling themed presentations, workshops, activities and stalls.

The mass participation cycle ride, meanwhile, will take place on closed roads in the city centre on Sunday, September 22 September. The event is open to all ages and abilities.

More details about further events are due to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about the UCI Road World Championships visit www.yorkshire2019.co.uk .