An exciting event on the eve of the Tour de France will whet the appetite of cycling enthusiasts.
The first Kirklees Criterium will take place on the evening of July 4 in Huddersfield town centre.
This will be a high-speed, closed-circuit bicycle race in which both professional and amateur riders will take place.
The race is part of a programme of events in Kirklees which will culminate on July 6 as Tour de France cyclists race through Huddersfield, Holmfirth and out to Holme Moss.
Councillor Martyn Bolt and bicycle shop owner Dave Sowerby have worked with British Cycling to organise the race
Similar events have been held in town centres in Otley, York and other places across the country.
Clr Bolt said: “It has been many years since we had elite racing in the area and I thought the time was right to organise another event – one which would give aspiring amateurs and young people such as our Kirklees Cycling Academy the opportunity to race safely.”
The councillor expects the event to give a boost to businesses, bringing a large number of local people and visitors to shops and restaurants in the town centre.
Mehboob Khan, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “The council is working hard to create a legacy for cycling which will continue after the Tour de France this year.
“We want to encourage local people to get involved in cycling regularly and take part in competitive cycling opportunities.
“We hope that the first Kirklees Criterium proves to be a great success and are supporting the event in its first year with a view to it becoming self-financing in the longer term.”
There will be opportunities for local businesses to support the event through advertising, sponsorship and hospitality packages.
Businesses interested in these opportunities should contact Clr Bolt on 01484 221000 or email martyn.bolt@kirklees.gov.uk
