THOUSANDS used to flock to the Market Square to watch elite cyclists take part in the Milk Race.
Now, after a 20-year absence, the race will be making a return to the city's streets this May.
The event, which ran between 1958 and 1993 before becoming the Tour of Britain, will be reborn as a major city centre race – hitting Nottingham on Sunday, May 26.
There will be an elite men's race and an elite women's race on the city's streets on the same day, alongside a full day's festival of cycling for all the family. The route has not yet been revealed.
Councillor Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: "Nottingham has a very strong commitment to cycling and we are proud to be chosen as the first city to host the Milk Race after such a long absence."
In its previous incarnation, the Milk Race was the most prestigious multi-stage event in the UK and the Milk Marketing Board's 35-year sponsorship remains the longest association that cycling has ever had.
The decision to bring back the event was taken by industry bodies the Dairy Council and the Milk Marketing Forum.
Dairy Council chairman Sandy Wilkie said: "The Milk Race is undoubtedly the most well-remembered and most well-regarded cycling event that there has ever been in this country. So to bring it back, and to re-establish such a strong link between milk and sport, is a very exciting development."
Numerous world and Olympic champions are expected to compete in the elite events, with London 2012 Team Pursuit gold medallist Steven Burke – whose cycling team Node4-Giordana is managed by former Milk Race winner Malcolm Elliott – the first to sign up.
Mr Burke, 25, said: "I was only five when the last Milk Race happened so I don't really remember it but, being trained by Malcolm, I've got to know a lot about it and the huge meaning that the name has in the world of cycling. Everyone has such high regard for the Milk Race and I can't wait to compete this year."
The council has said Nottingham was chosen as the location for the 2013 event both because of the city's heritage in cycling – it houses the headquarters of leading bike brand Raleigh – and for its commitment to community cycling.
City council leader Mr Collins added that the city has been made more cycle-friendly because of his council's efforts.
He said: "We have undertaken an extensive programme of investment to create a network of on-road cycle corridors and have seen an increase over more than 15 per cent in cycling levels in recent years.
