FOLLOWING a two-decade hiatus, the once popular Isle of Wight Road Race returns this weekend.

There is hope it will become a mainstay on the national cycling calendar, and some 80 riders have signed up for this year’s event – many from the mainland.

The inaugural Wightlink-Wight Mountain Isle of Wight Road Race is being staged on Sunday, May 21.

It follows almost a year of discussions between the Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team (WWMCRT) and British Cycling to bring back the event.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team in action.The Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team in action. (Image: WWMCRT)

“We’re really excited,” said race organiser, Julie Cooper.

“We had a full field of riders sign up for the event, which we didn’t expect at all.

“A couple have had to pull out, but we have some reserves stepping in.

“It’s the first road race we have ever done, but we’ve been running cycling events on the Isle of Wight for a while now.

“Jerry (Cooper) came up with the idea off the back of the Tour of Britain, and we’re hoping to get more elite racers to take part in the future.

“We’d like to make the road race an annual event and really build on it and make it sustainable.

“It’s a challenging course and incorporates some of the route planned for the Tour of Britain.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team hitting the road.The Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team hitting the road. (Image: WWMCRT)

“We couldn’t have done it without the help of our sponsors and volunteers, and discounted Wightlink tickets.

“The weather is looking like it’s going to be kind to us, so fingers crossed we have a good day.

“It’s been a lot of work and a lot of sleepless nights but it’s going to be a good spectacle.

“We’ve cycled all over Europe, and for cycling, our roads are second to none.”

Are you planning to watch the Isle of Wight Road Race?

The event comprises two separate Regional A races for Category 2, 3 and 4 women (70km) and men (80km), on a sporting course around the scenic roads of the West Wight.

Isle of Wight County Press: Kev Chant and James Veal in action.Kev Chant and James Veal in action. (Image: WWMCRT)

Riders will roll out in convoy from Chessell Pottery Cafe, a WWMCRT backer, and start racing once they hit the Military Road — continuing circuits via Chale, Shorwell and Brighstone.

The final loop will take them over Brook Shute, finishing at the top of the first steep climb at Freshwater Bay.

Wightlink has played a major role in establishing the event by providing ferry concessions for mainland teams, to enable them to race on the Island.

The Isle of Wight Road Race is being run by a large team of volunteers from the local cycling community.

The event has also been well supported by Island businesses, sponsoring the prizes.

WWMCRT’s charity partner, Mountbatten, is set to benefit from funds raised from the event.