World-class cyclists will take to the streets of Aberdeen next year if plans to host a stage of a major event are approved.
The city council is seeking funding to bring the annual Tour Series to the north-east for the first time in its nine-year history.
Sir Bradley Wiggins is among the star names to have taken part in the event, which is contested between teams rather than individuals.
The races in towns and cities across the UK are shown on terrestrial television, seen by civic leaders as a chance to show off the region.
It would form part of a wider celebration of cycling, including efforts to encourage more people to use their bicycles.
Edinburgh and Motherwell took part in this year’s series.
Securing the event would cost £60,000 for each of the three years the city hopes to host one of the races in the competition.
The local authority’s finance committee will meet on Thursday to approve the initiative – which it is hoped would provide “economic benefit and exposure at a national and international level”.
Discussions are under way with EventScotland which it is hoped would provide some £15,000 of the annual cost.
Contributions will also be sought from private sector sponsors and partners such as Visit Aberdeenshire.
The bid comes hot on the heels of the announcement that the Granite City will be home to one of the “Great Run” events next year for the first time.
The Tour Series, which is sponsored by Pearl Izumi, attracts good crowds of two-wheel enthusiasts wherever it takes place.
While individual stage victories are highly prized – and earn riders points – the format is very much geared to make it a team contest.
The race – which lasts around an hour – is won by the outfit whose five riders, picked from a squad of 10, finish in the lowest cumulative time.
Points are awarded according to position – as well as for sprints during the race – with the cumulative winner revealed after the last race.
Guest teams are often invited to make an appearance.
The event organisers said they would not formally announce next year’s host cities until early next year.