ONE of the UK's leading cycling events will come to Lanarkshire this spring.
Motherwell is set to host the 2015 Pearl Izumi Tour Series on May 26.
The event will see top riders compete in a fast-paced race around a 1.7km street circuit in the town centre in front of packed crowds.
This year's series features 10 races across the UK with Motherwell, the only Scottish venue, set to welcome the fourth round.
It is expected to attract a raft of top names with the brand new Team WIGGINS, formed by 2012 Tour de France winner and Olympic champion Sir Bradley Wiggins, and the ONE Pro Cycling team of England cricketer Matt Prior both billed to compete.
The 2015 Matrix Fitness Women's Grand Prix Series will also take place that same evening with highlights of both shown on ITV4 the following night.
Reigning double European track cycling champion Katie Archibald from Milngavie won the Scottish round of the event in Edinburgh last year.
This marks the first time that Motherwell has been included on the Pearl Izumi Tour Series calendar with Kirkcaldy in Fife and Edinburgh previous hosts.
Other towns and cities to feature in this year's event are Durham, Bath and Canary Wharf in London.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist James McCallum, who was born in Bellshill and grew up in Uddingston, has competed in every Tour Series since it began in 2009.
The 35-year-old retired after Glasgow 2014 and now works as a cycling consultant. He said it was "exciting and surreal" to see the race held on his home turf of Lanarkshire.
"This is the biggest circuit race series in the UK and having that level of competition just a stone's throw away from where I was born and grew up riding my bike is absolutely brilliant," he said.
McCallum believes the event will not only provide a spectacular showcase for elite cycling but also help promote the sport at grassroots level.
"Having races like this helps inspire youngsters because they can see these guys racing in the flesh and get a real buzz from it," he said. "What inspired me as a kid was watching my first criterium race at Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow. I knew I wanted to be like those guys."
Starting and finishing on Hamilton Road, the circuit takes in High Road, Farm Street, Ladywell Road and Douglas Street, promising a thrilling spectacle for the thousands expected to line the route.
Paul Jukes, executive director of Regeneration and Environmental Services at North Lanarkshire Council, said: "With the success of the Commonwealth Games triathlon and cycling time trials, North Lanarkshire is firmly on the map to host major sporting events.
"Motherwell is the only Scottish venue on the 2015 Pearl Izumi Tour Series and Matrix Fitness Women's Grand Prix, so we're delighted to welcome the cyclists and teams to our town."
Paul Bush, chief operating officer for EventScotland, said: "The Pearl Izumi Tour Series is a fantastic spectacle and it will bring high-octane city-centre racing to Motherwell this year.
"Scotland is the perfect stage for events and we will look forward to seeing some of the country's top riders competing on a challenging circuit."
Mick Bennett, race director of series organisers SweetSpot, said: "The season ahead is certainly going to be highly-competitive and we look forward to what will be an action packed five weeks of competition with Britain's fastest teams vying for the title."
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