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Rochester hosts UK National Circuit Championships

Britain's best cyclists will be racing round town, and you can give it a go too.

Hundreds of elite athletes will descend on the Medway Towns for the National Circuit Championship on Sunday.

They'll thunder round a mile-long route across historic Rochester, starting at the Esplanade and passing the Vines, Eastgate House and through the High Street.

The HSBC UK National Circuit Championships comes to Rochester this weekend
The HSBC UK National Circuit Championships comes to Rochester this weekend

Be ready to line the streets at 4pm to 4.45pm for the elite rider sighting and warm-up laps.

The women will race at 5pm and medals will be presented at 6pm in the Esplanade.

Then at 6.30pm the men’s race will kick off and the podium presentation will be at 7.45pm.

Both championship races run for 50 minutes, plus there will be five final racing laps.

Before the professionals race, members of the public can give the route a try.

From 2.30pm-3.30pm, people can take part in the mass participation race, which starts and finishes in Boley Hill.

But there will be much more for cycling enthusiasts, the event village, aka Rochester Castle Gardens fresh from its annual concert week, will open at midday.

Rochester Castle in Boley Hill (13780841)
Rochester Castle in Boley Hill (13780841)

The grounds will be filled with BMX stunt shows, free bike services, funfair rides, face painting, glitter, bike testing and coaching.

There will also be some high-tech activities including pedal-powered Scalextric and static bike roller racing.

The kmfm roadshow will also be on hand to keep music playing throughout the event.

After pedalling off all those calories, there will be a barbecue at the City Wall pub all day in High Street and food and drink stalls in a picnic area.

Jonathan Rigby, British Cycling’s commercial director, said: “We’re thrilled the 2019 HSBC UK National Circuit Championships is in Rochester.

The top cyclists will race around historic Rochester town centre
The top cyclists will race around historic Rochester town centre

"The area is steeped in history, and will provide a wonderfully picturesque backdrop to what will be some fantastic racing.

“The championships are one of the highlights of the road-racing calendar, and always prove a huge draw for spectators.

"Rochester will be no exception, and we look forward to working alongside Medway Council to deliver another truly memorable championships.”

To register for the mass participation race, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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