The route for the Croydon stage of this summer's Pearl Izumi Tour cycle race has been unveiled.

Riders will speed past the Town Hall, Clocktower, Surrey Street Market, and Queen’s Gardens when the international series returns to the borough on June 7.

Croydon Council has also been keen to emphasise the 1.3km route's proximity to Croydon’s "lively restaurant quarter" in South End, promising spectators the chance to "enjoy a wide range of food and drink from around the world".

Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “To be staging London’s only round of this year’s Pearl Izumi Tour Series is very exciting and it helps us continue to raise the profile of our town as a brilliant venue for all sorts of sport, arts and cultural events.

“It’s also a great way of encouraging more people to cycle and, of course, events like this all help attract businesses to the town, which will result in a boost to local jobs."

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Cllr Godfrey also encouraged potential spectators to "arrive early" on race day in order to "enjoy some of our outstanding bars and restaurants".

Crowds lined the 1km route for last year's race debut in the borough - dubbed "Croydon carnage" by one pundit because of the injuries sustained by the athletes in crashes.

This year schoolchildren from around the borough will be testing the new course earlier in the afternoon, while teams of amateur riders will be racing before the main event to raise money for the Mayor of Croydon’s charities.

Croydon will host the only London-based leg of the tour. As with last year, the borough will host a men’s and a women’s race.

The 2015 men’s race saw Marcin Bialoblocki of One Pro Cycling first over the line, while Commonwealth Games silver medallist Charline Joiner, of Team WNT, won the women’s race.

The council spent £107,721 on helping to stage last year's race, although it said the event generated £106,000 income.

British teams set to compete in the 2016 Pearl Izumi Tour Series include NFTO, Pedal Heaven, and Team Wiggins, the team led by former Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins.

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Highlights of the race will once again be screened on ITV4 and on the channel's online ITV hub service.

The 10-leg series began on the Isle of Man on May 12 and will take in eight other locations across the UK before finishing in Portsmouth on June 9.

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