Thousands of cycling enthusiasts will race through the stunning scenery of South Wales this weekend when the country's biggest cycling sportive returns to Cardiff for the annual Velothon Wales on Sunday, 9 July.

Up to 16,000 participants will take up the challenge, including some of the world’s best cyclists as well as recreational riders and charity fundraisers.

Starting and finishing in the heart of Cardiff, the event includes a 140km and a new 110km course on fully closed roads and attracts riders of all ages and abilities.

The closed-road 140km route will take participants on a journey from the heart of Cardiff through Newport, Caerleon, Usk and into the Brecon Beacons National Park with a climb up Tumble Mountain, before heading south through Blaenavon, Pontypool and Newbridge on its way to one final climb up the stunning Caerphilly Mountain, before concluding with a fast descent towards the finish line in the heart of Cardiff city centre.

Because of the nature of the event it is difficult to give precise road-closure timings however the 140km race starts from King Edward VII Avenue in Cardiff at 8.15am with the last riders leaving around 8.40am.

The Pro Race starts at 12.45pm in front of Cardiff Castle with some of the world’s top cycling teams and riders battling it out for the coveted Velothon Wales crown, with the front-runners expected to return to cross the finishing line around 4.30pm.

Thousands of spectators will line the iconic route looking to catch a glimpse of their family and friends taking part in the amateur sportive or the professional riders in the UCI-sanctioned race and the organisers have worked with the five local authorities to develop a rolling road-closure system which will allow sections of the route to re-open between the amateur and professional cyclists, ending the all-day closures of recent years.

For more details about community events happening around the route and more information about the event, including road closures, visit the Velothon Wales website.