NATIONAL cycling event, The Tour Series, visited Redditch last week for the eighth year running.

Hundreds of people turned out the see pro riders, Jess Roberts of Team Breeze and Connor Swift of Madison Genesis, take the solo rider winning spots of the main women’s and men’s races in tricky wet and cold conditions.

Racing started with the Inaugural Inter-Services races, which saw serving men and women from our Armed Forces racing around the 1.4km track.

The action-packed event was formally opened by chairman of Worcestershire County Council, Councillor Brandon Clayton.

Speaking afterwards he said: “It’s a pleasure to host the OVO Energy Tour Series yet again in Redditch.

"It was a great day, despite the wet conditions and we’re very proud to put Worcestershire on the map with big cycling events such as these.”

Councillor Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, added: “It was great to see so many people enjoying the race in Redditch town centre despite the conditions.

"The Tour Series has a huge economic benefit to the town and the wider county and we’re delighted it was, once again, such a success.

"I’d like to thank Stoford Developments and West Midlands Railway for sponsoring the races, and the Kingfisher Shopping Centre for their support.”

For full results from the men and women’s races visit tourseries.co.uk