Two local rising stars of British cycling will be taking time out of their busy, title-winning schedule to join the thousands of cyclists expected at Sky Ride Leicester on Sunday (Aug 26).

Cycling sisters Lucy and Grace Garner will be among invited guests leading a mass start of the event on Abbey Park at 10am.

The two young cyclists from Cosby are part of British Cycling's talent development programme and are already bringing home the titles.

Lucy (17) last month added European Road Race Championship success to the world championship title she won in September 2011.

On the same day as Lucy's success, her sister Grace (15) won the National Youth Track Omnium Championship title.

Lucy said: "Cycling used to be such a minority sport, but after the successes at Beijing, London 2012 and the Tour de France, it is becoming a 'normal' sport. To be able to open an event as well known and successful as Sky Ride is fantastic for me and for the sport. It shows how much cycle racing is growing in popularity and I'm really pleased people want to be part of that."

"Cycling is a sport where you can have fun and socialise and that's one of the main reasons I stuck at it. It's also what Sky Ride is all about."

Grace added: "It's great to see young people coming through and taking part in cycle sport but it's alos great to see more and more people just getting out on their bikes for leisure.

"It's an amazing opportunity to open the Sky Ride! It will be such a good experience. Everyone can have a go so it will be great to see people of all ages and abilities coming together for this amazing event."

Hundreds of cyclists are expected to join the cycling sisters for the start of of the five-mile (8km), traffic-free ride through the city

They will be joined by local freestyle BMX pro and world flatland champion Keelan Phillips, and young Leicester hopeful for the Paralympic basketball squad for Rio 2016, Hollie Sturgess.

Deputy City Mayor Rory Palmer will also be among the cyclists lining up for the start of Sky Ride Leicester.

He said: "I rode my first Sky Ride last year and loved it.

"I'm sure lots of people have been inspired by the incredible sporting achievements of Britain's cyclists this summer and it's wonderful that such fantastic sporting talents will be joining us for this year's event.

"But you don't have to be a world-class athlete to take part in Sky Ride – everyone's invited. It's a fantastic, family-friendly day and the perfect way to celebrate cycling and discover Leicester by bike."

Sky Ride Leicester takes place on Sunday, August 26, from 10am until 4pm. The route takes in Abbey Park, the Cultural Quarter and the city centre, with activity zones and entertainment on offer at various locations. People taking part in Sky Ride can join the event at any point along the route and at any time.

There is still time to register for the event online and enter a prize draw for some fantastic prizes.

To find out more visit www.goskyride.com/leicester

Sky Ride Leicester is organised by Leicester City Council, British Cycling and Sky, with support from NHS Leicester City.

Around 12,000 people took part in last year's Sky Ride Leicester.