Hundreds attend the first round of the Tour Series in Redditch

Anne Hingley, chairman of Worcestershire County Council formally opened the event, which apart from world class cycling, saw a range of other entertainment and activities.

Racing started with the Corporate Grand Prix and before the pros took to the track, local people had the chance to ride it.

With support from local club, Redditch Road and Path, around 70 local people of all ages took up the opportunity.

Both pro races were tight with JLT Condor kicking off their title defence with a victory.

The men’s win on the night went to Team WIGGINS’ Gabriel Cullaigh, who outsprinted Tobyn Horton (Madison Genesis) and Tom Moses (JLT Condor) from a select group of six riders who contested the finish.

The women’s opener went to Megan Barker, who helped her Team Breeze take the team prize and the series lead for the first time in their two years of competition.

The Brother Fastest Laps went to Chris Opie (Canyon Eisberg) and Rebecca Durrell (Storey Racing), while James Lowsley Williams (Canyon Eisberg) and Henderson took the Eisberg Points jersey for the intermediate sprints in each Series.

Former Redditch Council leader Bill Hartnett said he was "very pleased" with how the event went.

"We were treated with great weather and spectacular racing," he said.

"The event has got better each year and the borough council's contributions have increased both in cash and with other resources. I sincerely hope the tour series continues in Redditch in the years to come."

County councillor Ken Pollock, cabinet member for the economy, added: "It’s fantastic to see so many people out enjoying the races, and I want to thank everyone involved in making it happen.

"The race series has a huge economic benefit to the town and the wider county, it puts us on the map, not only as a great cycling location but also as a place to do business."

For full results from the men and women’s races, visit tourseries.co.uk

Highlights of the opening round can be found on the ITV hub.