A CYCLING race attracting top riders from across the country is to take place in Halwill Junction and Okehampton this weekend.

The Mid Devon Cycling Club is organising the Totnes-Vire Stage Race to take place on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. The origins date back to 1973 when the Mid-Devon Road Club first promoted a two-day event to mark the twinning of Totnes and Vire in Normandy. The race has had many formats over the years.

The race welcomes rider of an elite, first class, second class and third class ability, promising a high level of competition.

The Saturday racing is centred on Halwill Junction. It opens with a five-kilometre time trial over an undulating road, starting on the A3079 south of Dunsland Cross followed by a road race over five laps of a 20-kilometre circuit starting at Halwill Village Hall.

Alongside the elite racing, the Halwill Junction Road Race takes place at the same time for riders of third and fourth class ability. The first riders will start the time trial on the A3079 at around 11am.

On Sunday the racing moves to Okehampton and four laps of a 28-kilometre circuit. Part of this circuit was used in last year's race, and proved particularly punishing for riders.

This stage starts at Okehampton Rugby Club, with a neutralised start through the town centre at 10.30am before racing starts on the outskirts of town towards Sticklepath. The circuit loops back around to eventually finish back at the rugby club.

As well as attracting members of the mid Devon club, other top teams are entering elite cyclists into the challenge. Rapha Condor JLT, Team UK Youth, SPIN Rotor Primal Europe, Pedal Heaven RT and clubs from across Britain are entering racers into the event.

Organiser Ken Robertson is hoping to see lots of local people turn out to get a taste of elite cycling.

He said: 'The relatively quiet roads, and the terrain make for a good competitive course and for entertaining cycling.

'I would describe the Halwill Junction course as rolling while the Okehampton course winner is more about the last man standing, it is much more difficult.

'The variety will make for a great weekend of cycling. The popularity of cycling has grown remarkably in the last couple of years, particularly following the Olympics. There is more than one race to see on Saturday with the elite riders and the road race coming around. It should be like a mini Tour of Britain.'