A CLOSED road criterium cycle race will return to Dunfermline this summer following the success of last year’s inaugural event.

Fife Council’s Active Fife team, who worked with partners including Dunfermline Cycling Club to host the 2014 race, have confirmed that the successful two-wheeled spectacular will take place on Thursday 4th June in the city centre.

A timed road race will take place along a route closed to traffic that will include Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline Abbey and the Maygate and events will be held for youth, female and male riders. Competitors will race around the circuit for 40 minutes before finishing with an additional three laps during the ‘crit’ race, which last year attracted 66 male and 21 females – the highest number of women riders to take part in a Scottish closed road race in the summer of 2014.

Last year’s event was part of an eight-day Fife Cycling Festival and was widely hailed as a hit, with spectators and competitors, including Commonwealth Games cyclist and men’s race winner Evan Oliphant, praising the course layout.

The City of Dunfermline area chair, Councillor Helen Law, said she was “delighted” that the event was returning.

“I really hoped that the race would be on again after it was so successful last year, so I’m really pleased.

“The cyclists that I spoke to said that the route was really challenging with the hills and cobbled streets but that it was really interesting seeing the Abbey, Pittencrieff Park and the Maygate,” she said. “It was an eye-opener for people who have never been here before and I hope that it will help bring people to Dunfermline and show what we have to offer. Tourism and the economic benefits that an event like this can bring to businesses is big.” The news comes after the council announced plans to invest more than £2million in expanding cycling routes in the city as part of its draft budget proposals in November.

Cllr Law continued, “We are encouraging people to get fit and, even for myself who isn’t a cyclist, I see more of them on the road and I think people have been enthused to get on their bikes by cycling being promoted through the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

“Some of the races were at maximum numbers last year and I hope that we see the same again this year.” Active Fife have also announced plans to build on the success of last year’s festival by hosting a summer of cycling, with a focus on community, family and day-to-day riding.