THOUSANDS of spectators are expected to line the roadsides of South Craven on Sunday to see some of the world's top cyclists in action.

The final stage of the first Tour de Yorkshire starts in Wakefield and will pass through Sutton-in-Craven, Cross Hills, Kildwick, Silsden and Addingham on the way to the finish at Roundhay Park in Leeds.

The two previous stages are from Bridlington to Scarborough, tomorrow, and Selby to York on Saturday. Among the leading cyclists taking part are 2012 Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins and German sprinter Marcel Kittel.

The Tour de Yorkshire has been inaugurated to build on the huge success of last year's Tour de France opening stages in the county.

There will be mainly rolling road closures of about an hour as the race passes through South Craven, with roads closing roughly 30 minutes before the peloton is expected and opening again about half-an-hour after they have passed.

Exact times when the riders arrive will depend on the average speed at which they are travelling - the main group is expected to reach Sutton-in-Craven shortly before 3.15pm and they should reach Ilkley about 25 minutes later.

The specific highways changes will mean that access on the A629 at Kildwick roundabout will be restricted when the race passes through, anticipated to be between 3.15pm and 3.30pm. It is anticipated that the road closures will be in place in the South Craven area from 2.45pm to 3.50pm but these may vary.

Two all-day road closures expected on the day include Main Street in Addingham, and The Grove in Ilkley. These will be closed from 9am to 5pm, with parking restrictions beginning earlier in the morning.

No parking will be allowed on Ellers Road or High Street in Sutton-in Craven.

Before the race, around 6,000 cyclists will be taking part in the Tour de Yorkshire Sportive ride, which starts and finishes in Leeds and takes in much of the same route through South Craven as the race.

The first sportive riders will set off at around 8am and there are likely to be cyclists on South Craven roads for much of the morning.

As the ride takes place on open roads there are no road closures, but there will be a one-way system in place northbound between Green Syke Farm (just south of the boundary between North Yorkshire and Bradford) and the junction of Ellers Road and West Lane in Sutton-in-Craven; southbound traffic will be directed via West Lane.

Cllr Richard Foster, leader of Craven District Council, said: “It’s great to see another highly prestigious cycle event pass through the district again keeping the profile of cycling in the area high. Even though it will be through the district very quickly I would urge residents to make a note of the timings of the rolling road closure and pay particular heed to when the Kildwick roundabout will be restricted.”