British Cycling is delighted to confirm the route for the time trial at this year’s HSBC UK | National Road Championships.

The time trial events take place on Thursday June 28, and kick-off a momentous weekend of cycling in the region. After new time trial national champions are crowned, the general public then get the chance to take to the roads on two wheels as part of the Cyclone Festival of Cycling, including a family ride in Newcastle and a challenging sportive around the stunning Northumberland countryside which will then again welcome some of the country’s best riders as the national road race titles are decided on the region’s roads on Sunday July 1 in Stamfordham.

Thursday’s time trials will see national champions’ jerseys awarded in the senior men and women and under-23 men categories. Previous winners of the prestigious red, white and blue jersey have included Sir Bradley Wiggins, Alex Dowsett, Joanna Rowsell Shand and Emma Pooley.

This year’s event will both start and finish at the 17th-century historic country mansion and Grade II-listed Kirkley Hall, near Ponteland.

The men and women will ride the same P-shaped, course, with the senior men completing three laps and the women and under-23 men completing two. The course starts in the grounds of Kirkley Hall before heading north past Kirkley Cycles, Shilvington and up to the Gubeon where it turns right towards Tranwell. It then heads south over Saltwick Hill and down to Twizzell to complete the lap.

Peter Harrison, organiser of the Cyclone Festival of Cycling, said:

"The time trial is an exciting addition to the Cyclone Festival of Cycling and a great way to open the weekend’s action. Time trialling is extremely popular in the North East and the national championships will be a major draw, both for the best local riders, who will take part, and as a spectator event for those keen to see some world-class racing against clock against the backdrop of beautiful Northumberland countryside."

The weekend is set to be a fantastic festival of cycling, with mass participation events on Friday June 29, the Tyne 6 Bridges Family Leisure Ride; and Saturday June 30, the four-route Cyclone Challenge Rides, sandwiched by the elite races.