A MAJOR national cycling event is set to take place this weekend in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

The finale of the British Cycling Premier Calendar Elite road race series will be officially started by Beijing Bronze medalists, swimmer Joanne Jackson from Richmond and cyclist Chris Newton from Stockton-on-Tees.

It will see 120 of the UK's top riders tackling a gruelling 81-mile course through Swaledale and Wensleydale.

Organised by Richmond Cycling Club, the race will begin in the town's Market Place at 11.30am on Sunday, September 21 and finish in the same place at about 3.30pm.

A spokesman for the club said: "The inaugural event, held last year on Spring Bank Holiday Sunday as part of the recently revived Richmond Cyclists' Meet, was a great success despite atrocious weather conditions.

"The move to a September date with quieter roads has enabled us to use an extended route, and we are also hoping for an improvement on the 7, strong wind, rain and hail of 2007 - as are the riders.

"Whatever the weather, the race will be tough and is sure to provide a worthy winner."

The event will be televised by Cycling.tv for broadcast by British Eurosport, and Richmond Cycling Club are looking to develop partnerships to support the event in 2009 and beyond. Anyone interested should contact grlloyd@msn.com.

For more details about the route, which takes in the Buttertubs Pass as well as three 10-mile laps of the Waitwith Circuit, visit www.richmondgp.co.uk.