The final countdown to the Dudley Grand Prix has begun as the town prepares to welcome the high-profile national cycling event next week.

Some of the UK’s best road cyclists will be sprinting through the streets of Dudley town centre on Friday 14 July with thousands of spectators expected to attend the free British Cycling event.

The town centre will be transformed into a secure and fully barriered racing track for six thrilling races, including the men’s and women’s National Circuit Series competitions in the evening.

The main viewing area of the course will be on Priory Road, The Broadway and Coronation Gardens roundabout, which will have a variety of food stalls, music and commentary as the competitors battle for the top spot on the podium.

Each rider will take on a fast and twisty circuit, which winds through Ednam Road, Parsons Street, Wolverhampton Street, Priory Street and The Broadway, where a finish gantry will be installed as the lap concludes on Priory Road by Dudley College.

The event will open at 4pm with a community ride running for 45 minutes to give families the chance to cycle the course. Applications for this steady-paced ride around the track are open now with 100 participants able to take part on a first-come, first-served basis.

From 5pm until around 6.30pm, there will be under 12s, under 14s and under 16s racing, with the regional amateur race starting at 6.35pm.

The women’s national circuit series finale is due to get underway at 7.30pm, before the event concludes with the men’s national circuit series finale which starts at 8.30pm.

Temporary road closures and parking restrictions will be in place on the day of the event with some disruption to travel expected in Dudley town centre.

Residents and businesses that are located on the course will receive a joint letter from Dudley Council and the Dudley Grand Prix organisers about the traffic restrictions and car parking arrangements.

Marshals will be available in several locations throughout the route to assist pedestrian crossing during the event.

For more information on the Dudley Grand Prix, including a full list of road closures and traffic restrictions, visit the Dudley Grand Prix page.