WITH just a day until thousands of spectators descend upon Salisbury, here is the route of the OVO Energy Tour Series' penultimate round.

Starting on Blue Boar Row, the 1.2km circuit will see cyclist head south down Minster Street, then onto Silver Street, before looping onto High Street.

The competitors will then hook back around onto New Canal, then south onto Catherine Street, before taking a quick turn onto Ivy Street.

A long push up Brown Street follows, before turned back onto Blue Boar Row.

The podium, tour village, and hospitality areas will be located in Market Place, with the pits on New Canal.

The tour will be coming to the city on May 23, with more than 10,000 spectators expected to attend.

Salisbury Journal:

As reported, last year's event welcomed riders for it's 10-year anniversary.

It memorably saw three-time Olympic champion Ed Clancy take individual honours in the men’s race.

The circuit also holds good memories for the Canyon Eisberg and Team Breeze squads, who were crowned last year’s men’s and women’s series champions respectively in Salisbury.

“I think everybody involved with last year’s visit to Salisbury would describe it as the best round in the OVO Energy Tour Series’ proud history,” said race director Mick Bennett.

“The support and the enthusiasm – not to mention the noise – from the crowd that night will live long in the memory, and I hope that more unforgettable racing and that strong community togetherness will be created once again in May.”

Salisbury Journal:

TIMINGS

9am: Start/Finish straight closed to traffic / Tour Series Team arrives in city to set up event

12.30pm: Finish straight build complete

1pm: Remaining route closed to traffic

5pm: Hospitality opens

5.20pm: Riders line up

5.30pm: Women's race starts

6.20pm: Women's presentation

7pm: Men's race starts

8.30pm: Men's presentation

23.45pm: Tour vehicles leave site

23.59pm: Roads reopen to traffic

Salisbury Journal:

ROAD CLOSURES

From 9am:

  • Blue Boar Row
  • Endless Street
  • Queen Street

From 1pm:

  • Bridge Street
  • Brown Street
  • Catherine Street
  • Fisherton Street
  • High Street
  • Ivy Street
  • Minster Street
  • New Canal
  • Silver Street
  • Winchester Street

Salisbury Journal:

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?

Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We’re delighted to once again welcome the OVO Energy Tour Series cycling to Salisbury.”

“Last year’s event was such a huge success that we just had to bring it back to the city, and we hope this year’s races will be just as well supported.

“The beautiful city of Salisbury offers the perfect backdrop for cycling, and I hope both spectators and competitors alike will enjoy another fantastic evening of racing through the city’s streets.”

The Wiltshire venue joins Redditch, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Durham, Birkenhead and Brooklands as the last of the confirmed locations for the 2019 OVO Energy Tour Series.

Among the likely contenders to Canyon dhb p/b Bloor Homes’ crown are Madison Genesis, 2015 men’s champions and last year’s runners-up, Team WIGGINS Le Col and Vitus Pro Cycling. Meanwhile Storey Racing and Brother-Tifosi look set to challenge Team Breeze in the ever-competitive women’s title race.

As well as being an unticketed, free-to-attend event, the OVO Energy Tour Series is unique in the world of cycling, as the focus in both the men’s and women’s competition is on the teams, who battle for the overall title based on the performance of all five of their riders in each round.

Highlights of the OVO Energy Tour Series are screened on ITV4 and broadcast around the world, while event days provide the opportunity for a range of community and cycling activities to take place on closed-road circuits.