The National Road Race Cycling Championships will go ahead this weekend after race routes hit by flash flooding were given the all-clear.

The cream of the country's top cycling talent are descending on North Yorkshire for the men's 206-kilometre race starting and finishing at Duncombe Park. The British world champion men's pursuit team of Chris Newton, Rob Hayles, Paul Manning and Steve Cummings will be gunning for glory in their Team Recycling colours, with Nicole Cooke again favourite to take the women's 106km race title tomorrow.

Preparations have been under way for months but Sunday's freak rainstorms cast a huge shadow over proceedings on safety grounds. Structural engineers were called in to assess the safety of a bridge at Hawnby on the route but gave it the all-clear - and residents in the flood-ravaged areas have also opened their arms to the event.

Relieved race director Bob Howden said the response from the villagers had been 'touching'.

The race, set on a wearing course which could aid North Yorkshire challengers such as Ed Clancy, Russell Downing and veteran Malcolm Elliott, starts at 10am.

Updated: 09:43 Friday, June 24, 2005