NEWPORT city centre is to be turned into a thrill-a-minute cycle race venue next month. The city is hosting one of the most prestigious events in the UK cycling calendar when the National Elite Criterium Championships is staged on August 18.

Sponsored by your Argus, Newport city council and Gwent Cycles, the race - known as the Crits - will take place on a one-mile circuit of the city centre, with some of Britain's top cyclists hitting speeds of 40mph as they compete in the 40-lap race.

Organised by the Newport Phoenix Cycling Club, the Crits have already attracted some top-name entries among an 80-strong field. These include Gwent's Commonwealth Games hopes Julian Winn and Paul Sheppard.

The city centre route, which takes in parts of Queensway, Bridge Street and Baneswell, offers great views of the action for spectators.

The Crits will be the highlight of the day, but there will also be a series of other races including the Welsh Youth Crits and fun races for novices.

This weekend sees the start of a major promotional push for the Crits. Tomorrow in John Frost Square, from 10am to 4pm, members of the Phoenix Club will be handing out posters advertising the event and selling prize draw tickets to win a mountain bike donated by Gwent Cycles. A similar event is planned for the same venue on August 10.

And on Sunday, club members will be promoting the race from 10am to 4pm at Newport Rugby Club's family fun day at Rodney Parade.

If successful, the staging of the Crits in Newport is hoped to become an annual event and will help put the city firmly on the cycling map, particularly with the new Welsh Cycling Centre and indoor velodrome to be built at the Spytty sports complex.

More information on the Crits will be featured in the Argus as the event draws near, and a website has been set up.

Just log on to www,ukcrits.co.uk for all the latest news about the race.