SLIGHT changes have been made to the timings of tomorrow's (Wednesday) Skipton Cycle Races to avoid clashing with the end of the World Cup semi-finals.

The men's elite race, which had been due to start at 8pm and finish at 9pm, will now start 15 minutes earlier.

The earlier start will mean the race, which will take place in the closed town centre, will finish at 8.45pm, before the end of the football match, between Croatia and England.

It is the forth time the town centre races, which this year are sponsored by Yorkshire Housing, have been held.

Last year’s National Circuit Series champion, Matt Gibson of JLT Condor, is set to take part in the event, joining a field of dozens of top cyclists for the race, which will be televised.

Olympic, world and European team pursuit champion Ed Clancy is also due to take part, along with the winner of Skipton’s race in 2017, Jon Mould, both riding for JLT Condor.

Harry Tanfield, of Canyon Eisberg, who came second in Skipton last year and went on to secure a stunning victory in Stage One of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire, is also on the provisional riders list.

Build up to the event will start from just after 4pm with the closure of the High Street. Fun races for under 12s will take place from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Parking charges on the Council car parks will be suspended from 4:30pm. There will still be access to the Town Hall car park via the Rectory Lane entrance but not to Coach Street car park after 4:45pm.

Parking will be suspended on Skipton High Street and Water Street all afternoon and evening on July 11.

At 4.15pm the High Street will be closed for its entire length, with the northern roundabout open until 4.45pm when there will be a full lock-down of the entire course. However, there will be access to leave Coach Street car park until 6pm.

All roads except the High Street will re-open by around 10pm and the High Street will open by around 11pm.