Salisbury will proudly show the world that it is open for business by hosting the Grand Final of the OVO Energy Tour Series on Thursday (31 May).

Fittingly, the 10th edition of Britain’s leading televised cycle race series has also been the closest ever, with three out of our four main competitions still up for grabs in the Cathedral City.

Our 1.2-kilometre circuit in Salisbury is the only new course on the 2018 calendar, which raises the possibility of the form book going out of the window as riders pass by such sites as Salisbury’s Grade II-listed Guildhall and Poultry Cross.

As it’s our Grand Final, the women’s race will begin at the later time of 18:00, with the men’s race starting at 20:00. Furthermore, in a series’ first, both races will be afforded their own 60-minute ITV4 highlights shows.

Commenting on the Series’ visit to Salisbury, Race Director Mick Bennett said: “Given the grandeur and the history of Salisbury, not to mention the stunning backdrop of the city’s Guildhall that riders will pass repeatedly, I cannot think of a more fitting place to host the Grand Final of the 10th edition of the OVO Energy Tour Series.

“I’m excited to see how Britain’s best teams respond to the challenge of a new circuit, especially when the Series titles will be on the line. It promises to be a fantastic evening of entertainment – and it’s completely free for spectators!”

Here’s how the OVO Energy Tour Series standings look going into Thursday’s Grand Final, and the various permutations in them.

OVO Energy Tour Series women’s team classification
It’s mathematically a three-way title fight in the women’s series, as NJC-Biemme-Echelon and Storey Racing closed the gap on Team Breeze to three and four points respectively at Wembley Park on Tuesday. Having led since the opening round in Redditch, can Team Breeze hold on in Salisbury?

If NJC-Biemme-Echelon win in Salisbury, Team Breeze can finish fourth and still win the title (based on number of round victories in this year’s series). A win for Storey Racing will only earn them the title if NJC-Biemme-Echelon finish second and Team Breeze place sixth.

Eisberg Sprints women’s classification
Congratulations to NJC-Biemme-Echelon’s Nikki Juniper, who has already won the Eisberg Sprints Competition. She led the way from Round Two in Motherwell.

OVO Energy Tour Series men’s team classification
Are we going to see a new team win the OVO Energy Tour Series title in Salisbury? Canyon Eisberg’s impressive Bank Holiday performances in Stevenage made that a real possibility, but 2015 champions Madison Genesis kept the pressure on them at Wembley Park on Tuesday.

Under OVO Energy Tour Series rules, if the two teams are tied on points after tomorrow (eg Madison Genesis win and claim 10 points, Canyon Eisberg place second and add nine to their tally), the title will go to the team with the most round victories.

As it stands, Canyon Eisberg have won three, Madison Genesis four – in effect, Canyon Eisberg have to finish ahead of Madison Genesis in Salisbury if they are to win the title.

There’s an outside chance that defending champions JLT Condor could still win; they need to win in Salisbury and hope Canyon Eisberg finish last on the night, Madison Genesis second last. Based on 2018 form, that’s unlikely.

Behind, there’s a battle between Team WIGGINS (62 points) versus ONE Pro Cycling (60 points) for fourth as the race for OVO Energy Tour of Britain qualification points hots up, while our sole non-UCI team MorvĂ©lo Basso sit just one point behind Vitus Pro Cycling in sixth.

Eisberg Sprints men’s classification
An intriguing one, this: JLT Condor’s Matt Gibson tops the Eisberg Sprints table, but is unlikely to race after injuring himself in Stevenage on Monday.

Nearest challenger Robert Scott (Team WIGGINS) failed to score any points at Wembley Park on Tuesday, and with a maximum of 20 points on offer in Salisbury, Canyon Eisberg’s Harry Tanfield can mathematically still win this competition- but only just.

Click here for the full OVO Energy Tour Series standings heading into Thursday’s Grand Final in Salisbury.