Tour of Pendle brings Premier Calendar racing to Lancashire this weekend

The annual Tour of Pendle Cycle Race takes place this Sunday, and police are warning motorists road closures will be in place ahead of the annual event, which is part of the Premier Calendar attracts some of the UK's biggest names.

A selection of busy main roads in Lancashire will be closed to make way for 120 riders who will be taking part in the race, part of the Pendle Cycling Festival hosted by Pendle Council.

The race, which will travel through Nelson, Brierfield and Barrowford, is expected to attract a large number of spectators. The main circuit will be three laps, comprising the A682 Barrowford to Gisburn, A59 Gisburn to Whalley, A671 Whalley to Read and back onto the A6068. There's King of the Mountains points available on each lap for the first three riders over the highest part of the A682.

A rolling safety escort of police motorcycles and vehicles will be in front of the race and it is anticipated the final lap of the main circuit will be completed by 12.50pm and the full race done by 1.15pm.

Lancashire Constabulary and Pendle Council are urging motorists to take alternative routes where possible to avoid delays and while every effort will be made to keep delays to a minimum, it is inevitable some drivers will be inconvenienced.

Insp. Phil Cottam of the Motorway Unit, will lead the race escort and he said: "Every effort will be made to open roads quickly once the race has passed. In a cycle race riders can split up and several groups race independently.

"I would ask drivers to be patient and would like to reassure everyone that safety of all those involved and the public is what we want to achieve, while allowing the event to be a success."