‘The race has just gone up another notch in the thrill stakes’

Sir Bradley Wiggins will be among the top riders coming to Sidmouth for the Tour of Britain.

The eight-time Olympic medal winner earned team gold for Great Britain in Rio – and has now confirmed he is set to race once again in the country’s most prestigious cycle event.

Sidmouth will be showcased to a worldwide television audience of millions when it plays host to the start of stage six of the Tour of Britain, which then passes through Ottery St Mary and Honiton, on Friday, September 9.

Top riders confirmed for the race tour now include five-time Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins, silver medallist Mark Cavendish, Owain Doull – who won team gold in Rio - and Jonathan Dibben.

Thousands of spectators are expected to turn out and a whole host of activities are being planned to mark the occasion, including competitions, a costumed vintage bike ride, criterium race day, live entertainment and more.

The Olympians will be joined by top sprinter André Greipel and former Union Cycliste International World Hour Record holder Rohan Dennis.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s highways boss, said: “It’s fantastic news that this Tour of Britain will see the biggest names in cycling in Greipel, Cavendish and now gold medallists Bradley Wiggins and Owain Doull. The fact that the Tour regularly attracts the biggest names in world cycling demonstrates the global stature of the competition.

“I’m sure everyone will be delighted to see Sir Bradley return for what will be one of his last competitive races of his glittering career and what might be the last time we will see him racing in our county.

“I look forward to welcoming him to Devon - he is always a big draw and to have him racing through our county we can expect plenty of visitors and an excellent turnout right across Devon again which is great news for the local economy.”

Councillor Iain Chubb, East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “The Tour of Britain’s Devon leg has just gone up another notch in the thrill stakes with the announcement of Team Wiggins line-up.

“Fresh from his Olympian gold medal success, Sir Bradley is on cracking form, so I urge everyone to take this amazing opportunity to see Wiggo live in this country.”

Three hours of live coverage will be broadcast from each stage of the Tour of Britain, with both ITV4 and the BIKE Channel UK showing the race live, while ITV4 will also air a one-hour highlights programme each day.