Primary school pupils in Aberdeen have been getting into gear for a major national cycling event.
The OVO Energy Tour Series on May 16 will bring a string of professional riders to the city to test themselves on circuits and also offers amateur competitors the chance to ride alongside some of their sporting heroes.
Event mascot ToBi has been on a whistle-stop tour taking in six schools and Aberdeen City Council bosses have also picked 20 junior mascots to represent the elite teams on the day, with pupils from Stoneywood, Hazlehead, Bramble Brae, Mile End, Gilcomstoun and Skene Square selected to take part this year.
Council culture spokeswoman Marie Boulton said: “Bringing elite cycling to the city centre has been a huge success, attracting thousands of spectators in 2017 and 2018 as well as showcasing Aberdeen to a global television audience.”
Aberdeen is one of two Scottish rounds on the calendar, with Motherwell hosting the other on May 14, and the event has quickly become an established feature of the council’s significant investment in attracting events with a global profile.
Last year’s men’s winners on the night were champions-elect Canyon Eisberg. The women’s honours in 2018 were secured by the Storey Racing team, led by Scottish Commonwealth Games star Neah Evans.