West Row is gearing itself up for the influx of thousands of cyclists this weekend for the re-launched Mildenhall Cycling Festival.

This is the first time the three-day event, previously known as the Mildenhall Cycling Rally, will be held at the new venue of West Row village hall.

Mark Burchett, chairman of organisers Mildenhall Cycling Club, said: “There has been a lot of hard work put in by the club’s organising committee behind the scenes to make this event possible.

“It has been very refreshing how accommodating the trustees have been, even carrying out work to accommodate the Festival.

“All of this means we are very excited and looking forward to welcoming all of our regular and new visitors alike, to the festival at West Row.”

As one of the last major grass-track meetings of the year, the festival is expecting riders from across the UK, as it includes the final rounds of the National Short Distance League over 750m and the National Endurance League with heats over 4km or a straight final over 8km, if there are less than 25 riders.

The grass-track will be the centrepiece of the festival, with racing every day from 12 noon.

Saturday will be dedicated to the under 16’s, while on Sunday, as well as the National League events, there will be a range of Senior, Junior and Ladies events.

The final day’s racing on the track sees a departure from the tradition of previous rallies, with Go-ride racing and senior events!

Organiser of the grass races, Max Pendleton, explained: “We are re-introducing consolation events to spread the prize list, to stop the quickest guy winning everything!”

The standard of racing at the rally is always high – over its 28 years, the event has attracted up and coming names from the world of cycling, including Victoria Pendleton CBE and Laura Kenny MBE (nee Trott), who both went on to international success, becoming world and Olympic champions.

- All the details of everything happening at the festival can be found at www.mildenhallfestival.bike