Cycling legend Bradley Wiggins' team to ride through streets of Durham

Sir Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France in 2012 and has won four Olympic gold medals.

Team WIGGINS is to take part in the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, which will go through Durham on Tuesday, May 31.

It is part of a series which started last Thursday and features 10 rounds taking place across the country until Thursday, June 9.

Six teams of professional cyclists will compete for victory, while a number of guest teams will also get to take parts, including North East team Planet X Northside, which will take part in the Northern rounds.

Durham’s tough cobbled route features as round six on this year’s race calendar, and the popular event is expected to bring thousands of spectators to the city’s streets.

The series is in its eighth year, and the professional teams taking part are Madison Genesis, Pedal Heaven, Team Raleigh GAC, NFTO, JLT Condor presented by Mavic, Team WIGGINS, Planet X Northside, VCUK PH Mas, Wheelbase Atura MGD, Scottish Cycling and Provision.

Coun Maria Plews, cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning at Durham County Council, said: “The Pearl Izumi Tour Series is always a popular event, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Britain’s top cyclists back to our city.

“We’re expecting to see thousands of people lining the route to cheer on the teams as they tackle the cobbles and steep climbs that are a renowned feature of the Durham City round.

“It’s a great atmosphere and we’re reminding those coming in to the city to watch to arrive early and plan their journey in advance.”

The event in Durham will get underway with a number of pre-race events, starting at 4.45pm with the Blue Light Race, between cyclists from the county’s police and fire services.

This will be followed by the Durham City Velo cycle club ride at 5pm, Bishop Auckland Cycle Club ride at 5.15pm, the universities race, with teams from Durham, Sheffield, York and Derby, at 5.30pm, and two laps of the circuit by members of the local cycling club Hetton Hawks at 5.45pm.

The warm-up for the main event will start at 6.30pm, with the cyclists being under starters orders at 7.30pm.

Presentations to the winning cyclists will take place at 8.45pm.

Throughout the evening, the crowds will be entertained by Oompah Brass – which will also be performing in the 10th Durham Brass Festival between July 14 and 17.

People going to watch the event can park at County Hall, or at the park and ride sites at Howlands and Sniperley.

Park and ride buses will only operate until the normal time of 7pm, but the car parks will remain open for those wishing to walk back from town.