The Gibraltar Cycling Associations along with the Gibraltar Island Games organising committed will have one of their biggest tests this weekend with two test races.

Ahead of this summer’s Island Games organisers will be putting into practice their plans for two of the main road events with officials due to be tested in full.

The Road Race and Time Trial will see all the main organisations participating in order to test under real race conditions plans to host the two cycling events during the Island Games.

Competitors from as far as Malta are expected to join local racers as well as many competitors who have already registered for the events from across the border.

This will be the first time Gibraltar will be able to see the Gibraltar island Games cycling team in action with the whole team taking part in the event as part of their preparations.

Following the success of the Upper Rock Race held in February 2017, and the Road Criterium in November 2017, this weekend will see the Road Time Trial and the Road Race taking place.

Both events will be UCI Standard events and will serve as Test Events for the Natwest Gibraltar Island Games 2019.

The Time Trial, which starts at the iconic Europa Point, consists of two laps along the east side of the Rock, with each lap being approximately 8.5km long and on the last lap, the cyclists will head up the Rock via Windmill Hill to finish the Time Trial at the cable Car Top Station, making the route approximately 30km long, with a number of serious climbs. The climb up to the Cable Car Top Station is the exact route as used for the Upper Rock Race, which also starts at Europa Point. For this event no time trial bikes are allowed, no clip-on aerobars and only wheel rim depth of up to 60mm are allowed.

The 50km (elite) & 35km (Females and Masters), Road Race will take place along the eastern side of Gibraltar. Start and finish will be situated along Devil’s Tower road with a turn around point at Europa Point.

Cyclists can take part in 1 or in both events. Prizes will be given for the first three placed in each category at every race, as well as the overall winners of the 2-stage event, calculating the combined times of both stages.

A special award will also be given to the local club that has the most cyclists taking part and the 1st placed local Junior (Under 21).

The two-stage event will also declare the 2019 Male and Female National Champion (National Champions need to be Gibraltar Residents, in possession of a Gibraltar Residency Permit).

Extensive advertising of the route has been seen during the past weeks as organisers ensure that road users are aware of road closures.

The event is also being used as a way of preparing the public to the possible impact events during the Island Games will have on the flow of traffic on specific dates in which local roads will be used for events.

Officials have highlighted the importance they have given to ensure there is a minimum disruption to the public although they are aware that some disruption will be inevitable. They, however hope that the general public can understand that these is just a temporary thing and that they will be working to minimize disruptions both this weekend and during the games.

Hoping that the public will join in the attending the events which are expected to be quite exciting in nature.