Over 1,000 riders signed up for two days of events
Over 1,000 people are signed up to take part in a major Island cycling event being held across today and tomorrow.
The 2024 edition of Gran Fondo Isle of Man sees six different races taking place offering a challenge for different ages and abilities on mostly-closed roads.
The races range from the challenging 137km Gran Fondo right down to the family-friendly 'Mini Fondo' around Mooragh Park in Ramsey.
One of the organisers Rob Holden says the fact the weekend caters for competitive riders as well as those taking part for fun is what makes it special:
For the third year running, the main Gran Fondo race will be a qualification round of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series.
That will take place on Sunday (28 July) along with the 72km Medio Fondo - which gives the chance for senior riders to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships - and the 32km Piccolo Fondo which is aimed at families and beginners.
The day before (27 July) will see a UCI Individual Time Trial event held across a 10.5km section of the Snaefell Mountain Course between Ramsey Hairpin and the Bungalow.
Also on Saturday the Minisculo Fondo will be held at Mooragh Park with those involved able to ride around a 1km route at Mooragh Park as many times as they wish in one hour.
Entries for all the races except the Minisculo Fondo are now closed.
In the last two years the Gran Fondo contest has seen some of the Isle of Man's top professional riders take part including Sir Mark Cavendish, Becky Storrie and Tyler Hannay as well as Island resident and former world champion Ben Swift.
A series of road closures will be in place for the races this weekend.
Details of those are available below:
SATURDAY 27 JULY - UCI INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL - Road Closure Time 0930hrs to 1230hrs
- The A18 Mountain Road from its junction with Barrule Park to the junction with the A14 Tholt y Will Road
SATURDAY 27 JULY - MINISCULO FONDO - Road Closure Time 1530hrs to 1730hrs
- Mooragh Park
- Park Road
- North Shore Road from its junction with Park Road to the junction with Ballacloan Road
- Ballacloan Road
SUNDAY 28 JULY - SECTOR 1 Road Closure Time 0830hrs to 1200hrs
- A10 Bride Road from its junction with Mooragh Promenade to the junction with Lamb Hill.
- Lamb Hill.
- A10 Bride Road from its junction with Cranstal Road to the junction with Bretney Road.
- Ballavarran Road.
- Jurby Road from its junction with Ballavarran Road to the junction with the A14.
- The A14 from its junction with Jurby Road to the junction with Ballaugh Curragh’s.
- The Ballaugh Curragh’s from its junction with the A14 to the junction with Old Windmill Road
- Old Windmill Road from its junction with the Ballaugh Curragh’s to its junction with Dollagh Mooar Road
- The Dollagh Mooar Road from its junction with Old Windmill Road to its junction with Ballaterson Manor.
- Ballaterson Manor.
SUNDAY 28 JULY - SECTOR 2 Road Closure Time 0930hrs to 1300hrs
- Glen Road.
- Druidale Road
- Beinney Phott Road (closed till 1600hrs).
- Sartfield Road.
- Little London.
- Ballabooie Road from its junction with the A3 to the junction with Staarvey Road.
- Staarvey Road.
- Switchback Road from its junction with Staarvey Road to the junction with the A20 Poortown Road.
SUNDAY 28 JULY - SECTOR 3 Road Closure Time 1000hrs to 1500hrs
- Station Road.
- Patrick Road from its junction with Station Road to the junction with the A27 Dalby Road.
SUNDAY 28 JULY - SECTOR 4 Road Closure Time 1000hrs to 1500hrs
- A27 Dalby Road from its junction with Lhagg Road to the junction with the A36 Round Table Road.
- A27 Ronague Road from its junction with the A36 Round Table Road to the junction with Corlea Road.
- Corlea Road.
- Glen Rushen Road from its junction with the A36 Round Table Road to the junction with Slieau Whallian Road.
- Slieau Whallian Road.
SUNDAY 28 JULY - SECTOR 5 Road Closure Time 1100hrs to 1600hrs
- Ballavargher Road from its junction with Slieau Whallian Park to the junction with Archallagan Road.
- Archallagan Road.
- Old Church Road.
- West Baldwin road from its junction with Ballamodha Road to Beinn-y-Phott Road
- Beinney Phott Road.
SUNDAY 28 JULY - SECTOR 6 Road Closure Time 1030hrs to 1700hrs
- A14 Tholty Will Road from its junction with the A18 Mountain Road to the junction with the Sulby Claddagh’s
- St Jude’s Road.
SUNDAY 28 JULY - SECTOR 7 Road Closure Time 1000hrs to 1700hrs
- A13 Jurby Road from its junction with St Jude’s Road to the junction with Mountain View Innovation Centre.
- A13 Jurby Road from its junction with Ash Grove to the junction with Bowring Road.
- Bowering Road from its junction with Coburg Road and Grove Mount South.
- Cumberland Road
- Windsor Mount Road.
Rugby: Douglas' search for first away win continues at Widnes
Football: Rescheduled Railway Cup semi-finals in the spotlight
Jade Burden raring to return to the ring this weekend
Hockey: Six trophies decided during 2024 indoor finals