On Sunday 2 September, the 2018 Ovo Energy Tour of Britain comes to Newport on the first day of its week-long race around the UK.

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The riders, including Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas, are due to leave Carmarthenshire in the morning and then head to Newport for the finish of the first stage.

After riding through Caerleon, they will ride up Belmont Hill and down to Chepstow Road through to the SDR and then into Usk Way for the finishing line in the city centre near the University of South Wales campus.

For those waiting in the city centre to cheer the riders, there will be plenty going on to keep them occupied.

Newport Live’s sports development team will be in Usk Way from 11.30am to 12.30pm and at 1.30pm to 2.15pm to promote the cycling opportunities for children that are available at the soon-to-be renamed Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales.

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As well as the new range of Frog Bikes for younger children provided by qualified cycling coaches, special guest Matti Hemmings, a world-renowned Welsh professional flatland BMX rider and Guinness world record holder, will be helping to entertain and inspire both older youngsters and adults.

Welsh Cycling will be in the same area between 12.30pm and 1.30pm to showcase its club racing activities.

British Transport Police will be carrying out security bike marking and promoting cycle crime prevention.

Bike racks will be installed in the area near the Wave for those who would like to cycle into the city centre.

There will also be an area selling merchandise and with cycle-related promotions while the Tour of Britain team buses will create a spectacle on the carriageway opposite the finishing straight in Usk Way.

Newport’s very own yellow Superdragon, will be making an appearance on the podium where the stage winner and other awards will be presented at about 4pm.

Park Square multi-storey car park will be open from 7am to 7pm. Kingsway car park will also be open, although access to and from will be via Cardiff Road instead of Usk Way, and drivers can also use the NCP car park off the Old Green Crossing.

Friars Walk car park will be closed but the shops and restaurants will be open.

For more information, including estimated race times and road closure details, visit www.newport.gov.uk/events