Scotland will host two rounds of the OVO Energy Tour Series this May as Motherwell and Aberdeen once again welcome Britain’s leading televised cycle race series and the country’s top male and female cyclists.

Motherwell will host the series for a fourth successive year on Tuesday 14 May while Aberdeen makes its third appearance on the OVO Energy Tour Series calendar two days later (Thursday 16 May).  Both events will feature elite men and women’s races, giving Scottish fans the chance to see Britain’s best teams battling it out on their roads at this free-to-attend event.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Events play a key role in our visitor economy and the OVO Energy Tour Series is part of an exciting calendar of cycling events that take place across Scotland each year. EventScotland is delighted to be supporting its return to Motherwell and Aberdeen once again, where cycling fans both on the course and watching at home will be treated to an exciting evening of high calibre racing.”

North Lanarkshire has welcomed the OVO Energy Tour Series annually since 2015, with the likes of home heroes Eileen Roe and Katie Archibald having come out on top at the testing Motherwell circuit that finishes on Hamilton Road in the town centre.

“We are delighted to welcome the OVO Energy Tour Series back to Motherwell for another evening of exciting, highly competitive racing,” said Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council.

“This top level cycling event always attracts a big crowd to our town centre circuit, and local school children have the opportunity to cycle the route during the day as part of our programme to encourage more participation in sport. North Lanarkshire has a strong reputation for hosting first class sporting events and bringing the Tour Series to Motherwell on 14 May is the next important date in our calendar.”

Two days on from the Motherwell event the OVO Energy Tour Series will return to the city of Aberdeen for the third time, where last year’s men’s winners on the night were champions-elect Canyon Eisberg. The women’s honours in 2018 fell to the Storey Racing team, led by Scottish Commonwealth Games star Neah Evans.

Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “We look forward to welcoming the OVO Energy Tour Series back to Aberdeen in 2019. The last two years have been a huge success, attracting great crowds and showcasing the city worldwide.

“The event is a key part of the Council’s Aberdeen 365 events strategy as part of our City Centre Masterplan, transforming the heart of Aberdeen both in terms of the built environment and the cultural offering.

“We are building Aberdeen’s reputation as a dynamic city for residents and visitors, with a diverse programme of world class events which is quite rightly attracting interest at home and abroad as we continue to diversify the regional economy by embracing opportunities in the tourism sector.”

Thanks to Scottish Cycling the events in Motherwell and Aberdeen will also see a full programme of support activities and races, giving cyclists young and old the chance to ride on the same closed road circuits as their heroes.

Craig Burn, Chief Executive, Scottish Cycling said, “We are thrilled to be again welcoming the OVO Energy Tour Series back to Scotland and are proud to play our part in the delivery of the Motherwell and Aberdeen events alongside our local authority partners and local cycling community. Major events like this are paramount to ensuring we capture the hearts and minds of people across the country and inspire more people to get on a bike be it for sport, recreation or transport.”   

Commenting on the announcement, OVO Energy Tour Series Race Director Mick Bennett said: “We are delighted to be returning to Motherwell and Aberdeen this May.  The Scottish week of the OVO Energy Tour Series has become a cornerstone of the calendar in recent years, with both events enjoying great support from spectators and the wide range of participants taking part in the Scottish Cycling support events.  We look forward to more of the same this May.”

Highlights of the OVO Energy Tour Series are screened on ITV4 and broadcast around the world, while the event days provide the opportunity for a range of community and cycling activities to take place on the traffic-free circuits.

Further details of the OVO Energy Tour Series for 2019, including the participating teams and riders, will be announced in the coming weeks.