A major event is being organised soon in the Highlands, which could prove to be the forerunner for a leg of the world’s most famous cycling event – the Tour de France – in 2008, when Inverness and the Highlands hopes to host the European Capital of Culture. The Ness Monster 2-Day event is being modelled on the Tour de France and will be staged in and around Inverness on Saturday and Sunday 18/19 May.

The aim is to attract a top international cycling event every two years, building up the size of the event each time it is held until 2008, when it is hoped to attract the stars of the cycling world in the first leg of that year’s Tour de France.

The Ness Monster race has attracted 60 of the best racing cyclists in Britain and is the fourth counter in the 10-race British Premier Calendar Series. On Saturday 18 May, there will be a 77-mile stage which starts in Inverness city centre at 11 a.m. and takes riders via Culloden Battlefield, Glenferness and Cawdor and back to Inverness. A seven-mile time trial leaves Inverness Castle at 5 p.m., heading for Dores Road and Torbreck and back to the castle.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday 19 May, a 93-mile final stage leaves the city centre and takes riders to Loch Ness-side via Cannich, Fort Augustus, Whitebride, Dores and Inverness. There will also be a King of the Mountains competition.

The race has come about directly as a result of Inverness Highland 2008, the company which is bidding to become the European Capital of Culture. It was one of the first ideas received and the bid recognised its potential in tourism and economic terms to the area.

Board chairman, Councillor David Green, Convener of The Highland Council, said: "The Board is delighted to be sponsoring this highly prestigious event. It is the biggest cycle race to be staged in the Highlands and we hope it will grow in status over the years to the point where we can justify a bid to host the first leg of the Tour de France. My congratulations go to the organisers for demonstrating they can attract a top quality cycle race to the Highlands. I am looking forward to the spectacle, which I am sure will pull in the crowds."

Bid Co-ordinator Bryan Beattie said: "Last year we spoke with the company who have organised the Tour de France stages outside France and they were very enthusiastic about our chances, but stressed we need to build up experience of organising major cycle events. The Ness Race is the first step on what we hope will be a very rewarding journey to the 2008 finish line."

Also offering her full backing to the race and the Capital of Culture bid is The Dowager Countess Cawdor, who owns Cawdor Castle. Lady Cawdor said: "I am delighted that so many communities will see this splendid race. I hope it proves to be a great success and grows in stature over the years. I firmly support the bid being made for Inverness and the Highlands to become the Capital of Culture in 2008. As Scotland’s entry, we have all the attributes needed to win this accolade."

The race is also being supported by Inverness and Nairn Enterprise. Chief executive, Bill Sylvester, said: "Events like this do a lot to raise the profile of the Highlands - especially if it reaches its potential and eventually attracts international interest and participation. It also highlights the diversity which underlies the Capital of Culture bid."

Moray Firth Cycling Club and Clachnacuddin Cycling Club have joined forces under the banner of Nessie Cycling Promotions to organise the race. Race organiser is John MacMillan, a committee member of the Clachnacuddin club. Brothers Roddy and Kenny Riddle, former Commonwealth Games competitiors from Inverness, devised the route for the race.

John said: "The Ness Monster 2 Day is modelled on the Tour de France. Ok, it is a lot smaller than the tour. However, the race works in the same way. The stage times for each rider are aggregated and the rider who has covered the distance in the least time is the leader or winner. This is called the General Classification. We identify the leading rider by the yellow jersey, another legacy of the Tour de France. There are competitions other than the General Classification within the race. There is a team classification which is contested by teams of four. At the end of each stage, the times of the three fastest from each team are added together to find the leading team. Team times are then aggregated on each stage and the leading/winning team will wear a yellow armband.

"There are also special competition jerseys for the leading Espoirs (under 23) and development (third category) riders. These will be awarded to the Espoir and Development riders who are lying highest in the General Classification.