Next month’s Tour de Tendring cycle race has already attracted more than 500 entrants.

And the event, celebrating its 21st birthday this year, will follow closely behind the first Women’s Tour of Britain which starts from the same location.

Both races will start at Dovercourt Swimming Pool on May 11 with the Women’s Tour starting at 10am and the Tour de Tendring setting off just 30 minutes later.

The Women’s Tour event includes World and Olympic Champions who will be taking part in the fifth and final leg of the tour from Harwich to Bury St Edmunds.

The race’s third stage will also take place in Tendring with a finish on Clacton seafront on May 9.

Mark Platt, Tendring District Council’s (TDC) cabinet member for tourism, events and leisure services, said it was going to be a “real cycle fest”. “It promises to be a very special few days for the district and one which will hopefully pull in many thousands of people,” he said. “The Women’s Tour gives a real boost for our own Tour de Tendring which I am sure is why we have seen a rise in people signing up at this stage compared to last year.

“In 2013 we had around 1,300 participants and I am sure we will easily top that this time around.”

There are three distances to suit all aspirations starting with six miles and going up to 20 miles.

There is also a 60 mile course which takes in a large part of the very best of the Tendring district.

Along with the races there will be entertainment in Low Road, Dovercourt including the Peppermint Dance School, Chase Lane Cheerleaders, Elite Majorettes, Harwich Sing Choir and children’s entertainers. Basketball freestyler Tom Connors and football freestyler Ash Randall will also be demonstrating their skills during the day.