TOP cyclists from across the country are lining up for the first Science Fitness Skipton Cycle Races on July 2 – and some local superstars will be battling for victory.

Pete Williams, 28, from Embsay, rides for One Pro Cycling and has won a number of races this year already.

He says he can’t wait for the race evening. “It’s a local event and it’s always great to do a race in your home town,” he said.

“It’ll be nice to race up the High Street – I’ve always thought you could have a good course around the centre of Skipton.”

Pete says the cyclists will put on a fantastic show for the crowds. “The speed we get up to in town centre races is quite something. We’ll be doing over 30mph in places,” he said.

“When you watch a race at those speeds it’s really spectacular, with the cyclists so close together.

“We’re going to have some of the best guys in the country there and it’s free to watch – not like a football match where you have to pay a fortune.

“It’s a great opportunity for local people that haven’t seen a race like this before, to come and see what it’s all about.”

Scott Thwaites, 25, who grew up in Burley in Wharfedale and was a student at Ermysted's Grammar School, will also be competing in the elite men’s race along with a number of other professional cyclists.

He is a member of Team Bora-Argon 18, and represented England in the 2014 Commonwealth Games road race, winning the bronze medal.

Leader of Craven District Council, Cllr Richard Foster said “Excitement is building for our first Town Centre race in Skipton and having local elite riders compete just adds to the atmosphere on the night. This is one of our main legacy projects following on from the Tour de France last year and has been made possible by the generous sponsorship from local companies and support from the Skipton Town Partnership and Town Council.”

The event, on Thursday, July 2, kicks off with under-12 fun races from 6pm. From 6.30pm to 6.45pm the circuit will be open to adult members of the public with bikes and helmets.

Youth races will take place from 7pm and the elite men’s race will start at 8pm, a professional cycling race around a 970m circuit of the centre of Skipton, from outside the Town Hall, down Raikes Road to Water Street, along Coach Street, left into Swadford Street and back up the High Street.

A number of road closures will be in place during the event and parking will be suspended all day for the whole of the High Street and Water Street.