AN elite level British Cycling event is set to make a return to Dudley town centre this summer, it has been confirmed.

The Dudley Grand Prix circuit race event will be held on Friday July 12 as part of Black Country Festival celebrations, following last year’s successful debut event which saw people line the streets to watch the races.

Part of the men’s and women’s national circuit series, the event is expected to attract famous names from the world of cycling including British Olympic champions.

Helen Martin, director of regeneration and enterprise at Dudley Council, said: “We will see some of the sport’s best riders racing against each other at top speeds around a short, fast circuit so there should be plenty of thrills and spills, and it’s completely free.”

She said all council car parks will be free on the day for those wishing to visit and watch the races and she added: “The extra footfall that elite sporting events brings can only be good for our town centre businesses.”

The event will open at 4pm with a social community ride running for an hour to allow young families chance to ride the racecourse.

Anyone wanting to take part in the event, sponsored by Fieldings Auctioneers, can sign up at https://www.dudleygrandprix.com/communityride.

From 5pm until around 5.50pm there will be under 12s, under 14s and under 16s racing, sponsored by Jewson, with the regional amateur race starting at 6pm.

The women's national circuit series finale will get under way at 7pm, with the event concluding with the men's national circuit series finale starting at 8pm.

Chris Lawrence, of organisers Generation Pro Cycle Events, said the event will “showcase how exciting the UK racing scene can be”.

All races will start and finish on Priory Road by Dudley College.

Letters will be sent to residents and businesses along the route with road closure details and more information about the event, which will be funded by the Government, West Midlands Combined Authority and the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund.

For more details, or to sign up for the community ride, go to www.dudleygrandprix.com.