THE best student cyclists in the country return to York for the BUCS (British University and College Sport) road and circuit races this weekend.

It will be the third year running that the University of York Cycling Club has hosted the event.

The men's and women's road race championships are on Saturday from 10am with the race headquarters at Sheriff Hutton, ten miles north of York

The races will be held on the Bulmer to Terrington circuit, which takes in some of Yorkshire's best villages and views and includes the one-in-six Bulmer Bank hill. The men's course will be 77 miles long and the women's 44 miles.

More than140 of the best university cyclists will be competing.

There have been some prolific rides in previous years, including podium places by students who have gone on to become full-time professional cyclists, including Hayley Simmons (Cambridge University and now United Healthcare Pro Cycling), Edmund Bradbury (Cambridge University and NFTO Pro Cycling) and last year's winner, Rory Townsend, of St Mary's University and Pedal Heaven Pro Race Team.

York riders for the men's race will be Alastair Hepworth, a final year electronics student, Ed Giles, a first year law student, and James McKay, who is in first year of philosophy.

Spectators are welcome.

The following day, the Circuit Race Championships will be held at the York Sport Village, Heslington East.

The circuit races include first-time racers up to the elites who will have ridden the road race the day before.

Racing starts at 1pm and spectators are welcome.