Competitors in the men’s “elite” class of the HSBC UK National Road Championships are expected to reach Reepham around 12.28 pm, with the elite women following around 16.54 pm. Close behind each of the elite races will be riders in the men’s and women’s under-23 classes. Watch the video HERE
 
In between the men’s and women’s races Reepham Market Place will serve as one of three “pit stops” for cyclists on the Challenge 100 event, in which 1,300 riders tackle a 100-mile course. All the riders will enter Reepham on the B1145 Dereham Road before crossing the Market Place to hurtle down Church Hill, leaving on Norwich Road.
 
Throughout the day there will be rolling road closures along the route, which starts and finishes in Norwich and takes in Wroxham, North Walsham, Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea as well as Reepham.
 
Reepham will see stringent parking restrictions from midnight to 10 pm on 30 June. Any vehicles left in areas marked by small bright yellow signs are liable to be towed away, warns town clerk Jo Boxall.
 
The events are part of the Great British Cycling Festival, which also features time trials around Sandringham on 27 June, mountain biking at Hethersett on 29 and 30 June, and a family cycling festival in Norwich on 30 June.
 
In the road races, reigning men’s champion Connor Swift will defend his title against riders including 2016 champion Adam Blythe, 2013 winner and former world champion Mark Cavendish and 2012 national champion Ian Stannard.
 
Past winner Hannah Barnes is a strong contender for the women’s race, with reigning champion Jess Roberts and four-time winner Lizzie Deignan not riding.
 
Charles Butcher