SOUTHAMPTON city centre was transformed into a race track in one of the city's biggest ever cycling events.
Around a thousand cyclists flocked to the city centre today for the first-ever Sporterium event.
Some riders travelled as far away as Cardiff to compete.
Kicking off at 8am, the cycling festival involved a 60km and 100km route around Southampton and Hampshire.
In the city centre itself, a 1.7km stretch of road was fenced off to create a race circuit.
People looked on in awe as cyclists whizzed around at speeds of around 30mph.
Chairman of Sotonia Cycling Club, Phil Wilks, was competing in the event with his son, Tom.
He said: "We've all had a great time. It's amazing to have this sort of thing locally in Southampton.
"I think they've done a good job with the circuit. Massive crowds around, it's a really good day out."
"I like riding my bike. I got into it to keep fit then I got into racing and now my family are into racing."
The event was organised by ReesLeisure, which also runs the ABP Southampton Marathon - taking place this Sunday.
In partnership with MyJourney, it is encouraging more people to get on their bikes and have active lifestyles, according to the race director, Chris Rees.
Three Southampton dockers, Paul Hansford, Paul Roberts and Rob Craig said that they had been looking forward to the Southampton Sporterium for months.
They are members of the BW cycle club and go out riding two or three times a week.
Meanwhile, Helen Green as well as husband and wife, Louise and Dave Hewlett were part of a team cycling the 60km route for Abby's Heroes, a charity that supports children, teens and young adults diagnosed with cancer.
They said they were excited about the event and saw it as training for a ride they plan to do across Vietnam and Cambodia early next year.
Thousands of more people are set to descend on Southampton on Sunday for the ABP Marathon.
Cancelled last year due to covid concerns, it also involves a half marathon and 10km race.
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