SIR Bradley Wiggins has confirmed his place in the Tour of Britain, which will pass through Knutsford twice on Tuesday, September 6, finishing in Tatton Park.

Wiggins, who claimed his fifth Olympic gold medal at Rio and his eighth cycling medal overall, will race alongside fellow Olympic gold medallist Owain Doull and Jonathan Dibben under the ‘Team Wiggins’ banner.

This will be the ninth Tour of Britain race that Wiggins has competed in and Cheshire East Council has said that it increases the profile of the event, which has already benefited from the great success of Britain’s cyclists in Brazil and Chris Froome becoming the first British three-time winner of the Tour de France.

Lisa Benskin, deputy town clerk at Knutsford Town Council has said that the council is ‘delighted’ that Sir Bradley Wiggins has confirmed his participation in the Tour of Britain.

Cllr James Power Chair of the Tour of Britain Sub-committee said; “After the huge success in Rio this is fantastic news. I am sure Knutsford will give Sir Bradley a superb welcome.

“Knutsford is the perfect place to watch the race, with Cyclefest on the Heath a free to enter pop up festival which includes a big screen, Makers Markets and children’s village.”

Stage three of the tour has also been heavily supported by Knutsford retail group, Knutsford One, which has been helping to collect bikes and paint them orange to decorate the town in preparation for the race.

Cheshire East Council leader Rachel Bailey, added: “This is tremendous news for the tour and can only further increase interest in this fantastic event.

“We are very proud to be hosting a stage fully within Cheshire East and look forward with great anticipation to seeing the roads of the Borough lined with our residents enjoying this very special occasion.”

The Cheshire stage of the Tour of Britain starts in Congleton and ends at Tatton Park on September 6.