MILLIONS of pounds is expected to be raised for a variety of charities and good causes as the inaugural Vélo Birmingham hits Black Country streets this Sunday.

15,000 cyclists will be riding through Halesowen and Stourbridge as part of the controversial 100-mile sportive, which will see a number of roads along the route closed.

The ride will also take participants through the spectacular countryside and historic towns and villages in Worcestershire and Staffordshire, including Kinver and Belbroughton.

One of those taking part will be England rugby legend Martin Johnson, who described the event as “great for the Midlands”.

The World Cup winning captain, who grew up in Solihull, told the News: “I think the Midlands gets overlooked by people and we should have events of this scale here.

“There are millions of people who live here and we have a wonderful countryside which should be showcased to the rest of the country.

“I’m really looking forwards to getting on the bike and getting out there – that might change when the alarm goes off at 4.30 on Sunday morning – but once I’m out I’ll enjoy it.”

There have been fears regarding the event, with many residents raising concerns with roads being closed for a number of hours.

But Martin defended the event, saying: “I took part in the first Ride London and there was a man standing in the middle of the road shouting ‘we do not want you here’.

“But now there are millions of people who go down as a day out, cheering everyone on.

“It was the same before the London Olympics, all we heard for years beforehand was moaning and then we had one of the greatest events in this country’s history.

“But I love my cycling so if anyone asks me a negative question I’d say you’re talking to the wrong guy.”

Visit velobirmingham.com/the-route/road-closures/ to find out which roads are closed at what times.

Thousands of pounds of extra income is expected to be raised for Vélo Birmingham’s charity partners Cure Leukaemia, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charity Birmingham, NSPCC and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Former West Brom and Wolves footballers Darren Moore and Geoff Thomas will be part of a team of 600 taking Sunday’s ride in aid of Cure Leukaemia.

Blood cancer survivor Geoff told the News he has offered support to fellow Wolves star Carl Ikeme who was diagnosed with the condition earlier this year and is determined to make sure Vélo Birmingham raises the profile of the charity even further.

“I was doing the Tour de France one day ahead and I had just finished a bad day when I heard about Carl. It hit me hard, but I thought why am I moaning?

“It took me right back to the day that I was first diagnosed which I remember like it was yesterday. It gave me a kick up the backside to stop moaning and get on with it, as I was there to stop people like Carl having to go through such extreme treatment.

“When you’re in the role of a sportsman or have any kind of profile you represent the rest of the people who are battling that illness and when it’s positive you want to show that there are people out there who can help you beat this.

“Then you start doing silly things to help raise money and awareness for it.”

Darren added: “When I was first asked by Ben Foster [West Brom and England goalkeeper] to be part of the team I did think ‘100 miles, could I do this?’, but after that I just thought about the great help that I could be to raise awareness and funds.

“Every year I try to do something, whether it be a sponsored walk, run, and this year it’s the bike. Maybe next year it will be something on water!

“The more it draws nearer, the more I’m really pleased to be on board. With Geoff, Stiliyan [Petrov, former Aston Villa midfielder] and Carl all going through this illness, it makes me even more determined to do something to help raise awareness for the charity.”

About 350 riders will be taking part to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society, and charity spokesman James Dixon said the cause is “delighted” to be involved in such a big fundraising event.

While Mike Hammond, chief executivef Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charity said: “The monies raised by this event will make a tremendous difference to people all over the region.”