An army of volunteers will move into Huddersfield tomorrow to gear up for the town’s first ever Criterium.
And they hope large crowds will line the streets to see the cycling stars of the future, as well as many established top riders.
The cycle races around the town centre get under way at 6pm on Friday but a lot of work has to be done before that to get the circuit ready.
Barriers will start going up at around 2pm and the streets themselves will be closed to all traffic from 5pm, with drivers urged to move parked cars before that time.
Dave Sowerby, one of the organisers, is excited at the prospects and hopes the race attracts many people in town for the weekend’s Tour de France.
“The idea has really taken off and we are delighted by the response of riders, of sponsors and of the public.
“We hope a lot of people will turn out for what promises to be a great evening of sport”.
The event has attracted more than 160 riders, including a field of 50 for the elite race which sets off at 8pm, and is one hour and 10 minutes plus five laps.
Click below to see a rider's eye view of the route.
Riders taking part in that include the Downing brothers, Russ and Dean, who have featured for top continental sides.
Adam Blythe is another top rider while some are travelling from Europe and even as far as Mexico to take part.
They, like the others, will be racing on a tight circuit which starts in New Street and takes in Cloth Hall Street, Market Street, High Street, Ramsden Street, Corporation Street, Victoria Lane and King Street.
The first race is the support race, which has attracted a field of 90 club riders from across the region.
It starts at 6pm and lasts 45 minutes plus five laps.
It will be followed by the youths race at 7pm, sponsored by Cummins Turbo Technologies and billed as “Stars of the Future” race. This is 30 minutes plus five laps.
Mr Sowerby said: “Many of the riders in the youth race are from the Kirklees Cycling Academy, based at Liversedge, which is now regarded as one of the best in the country. It truly is the ideal way of looking out for the cycle stars of the future”.
When the town centre comes to life on Friday evening with the best of UK cyclists racing around the streets in the Criterium closed road cycle race, others can spin those wheels and get cycling.
The Zone Huddersfield Community Trust is bringing their static spinning bikes into the town centre for people to have a go.
It is the finale of the Youth Gym Tour de France Challenge where Zone members, local clubs and schools have been cycling to add their miles to the grand total, the target of which is to ride the full distance of the Tour de France, some 3,656km.
The spinning bikes will outside in The Piazza by Huddersfield Library from 4.30pm
For little ones, Kirklees Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Development Team will have balance bikes available to practice their two-wheel riding skills to set them on the path of a lifetime of cycling.
Find out what time Le Tour is in Huddersfield, Holmfirth, Calderdale and Leeds
Check out Le Tour route though our area in pictures here
Click here to see which Huddersfield Roads are closed for Le Tour and what parking restrictions are in place
Ready for the Grand Depart? Test your Tour de France knowledge with our cycling jargon quiz and Le Tour locations quiz
For more Tour de France news and information click here
