Pro cycling Tour Series holding Grand Final in Manchester: when it’s on, how you can watch and road closures

Professional cyclists will be battling it out for glory on the streets of Manchester as the grand final of a series of circuit races comes to the city centre.

The Sportsbreaks.com Tour Series hosts its grand finale around the Deansgate area on Tuesday 24 May.

Men’s and women’s races will be held in the evening on a one-kilometre circuit which will get spectators close to the heart of the action.

Here’s your guide to what is happening, when it’s on and what you need to know if you’re planning to be in the middle of Manchester on that evening.

What is the Tour Series and when is it coming to Manchester?

The Sportsbreaks.com Tour Series is hosting its grand final on the streets of Manchester on Tuesday 24 May.

The event consists of seven races fought out on tight streets circuits around the country which sports fans can enjoy watching for free.

Unusually for cycling, while the rider who crosses the line first does get the individual glory of victory, the Tour Series is primarily a team event.

Teams of five start the race and the three fastest riders in the line-up at each event have their times combined to decide which outfit is fastest on the night.

In total 13 teams are taking part in the 2022 series.

The grand final in Manchester: what time the race happens and where the course is

The women’s race in Manchester will get the event under way at 5pm with the men’s race beginning at 7.30pm.

Both events will be fought out for one hour plus five laps.

The victory ceremonies to crown the 2022 series winners will take place at 8.45pm.

The action takes place on a one-kilometre long circuit centred around Deansgate, with the start and finish line located next to the Great Northern leisure complex.

Organisers are promising a festival atmosphere with DJs spinning the decks during the evening.

Since the series was launched in 2009 some two million spectators have come out to watch a round while a host of big names from British cycling, including Laura Kenny, Tom Pidcock, Dani Rowe, Joanna Rowsell, Ed Clancy, Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald have all competed.

This year two of the biggest names in the men’s field will be brothers Charlie and Harry Tansfield.

Both have been to the Commonwealth Games, with Harry getting a silver medal in the Gold Coast in Australia in 2018.

Road closures

Some roads will be shut in the area around the race circuit on the day of the action.

Deansgate itself will be closed from 6.30am on the day, with the rest of the circuit being closed off from 12.30pm.

There will be a ‘drain out’ of vehicles on Quay Street, Lower Byrom Street and Liverpool Road from 6.15pm to 6.45pm, between the two races.

All roads will be open again by 11.59pm.

Do I need to get tickets?

If you want to enjoy the action there is no need to get a ticket in advance, as spectating from around the course is free.

However, series sponsor Sportsbreaks.com are offering hospitality packages which get you a prime position close to the finish line and Podium, hot food and a complimentary bar serving beers, wines and soft drinks.

These start at £60 per person and can be booked by visiting the Sportsbreaks website here.