MALTON is to host a second Festival of Cycling this summer following the success of last year’s event.

About 6,000 people and 300 competitors attended the inaugural Malton Festival of Cycling and organisers are hoping this year’s event on Sunday, June 21 will promote the town itself, in addition to the racing.

Keith Davies and Ash Clark, who instigated the festival, told members of the newly-formed Malton and Norton Chamber of Trade, they wanted to put more focus on the town’s businesses getting involved.

“For the first event we really concentrated on the racing as we wanted to get that right and attracted competitors from all over the country,” said Ash, from Northern Ride in Savile Street.

“This time we want to make more people aware of what is going on.

“There was such a buzz in town last year that we want to promote that and the town itself.”

Keith said that as an avid cyclist he had seen the potential of Malton’s Market Place for racing and the reviews they had received had been extremely positive.

“British Cycling president Bob Howden said it was one of the best start-up events he had seen in the 40-plus years he has been involved in cycling,” he said.

“There is a real hunger around for cycling in the UK at the moment, particularly with the Tour de Yorkshire now coming to the area and this year we hope to attract three times as many visitors.”

Keith said they were looking for businesses to sponsor the event, either individually or jointly.

“We really want the town to get involved and raise the profile of Malton and for them to benefit from the day as well,” he said.

Anyone who would like to get involved or provide sponsorship should email ash@northernride.com or phone 01653 699070.