The route that some of the world’s best cyclists will take when the Aviva Tour of Britain arrives in Stoke-on-Trent in September has been confirmed.

Twenty top men's cycling teams will compete in the eight-day tour, which starts in Beaumaris on September 6. On Friday, September 11, the riders will take on a 192km (117-mile) course, starting in Stoke-on-Trent city centre and finishing in Nottingham. And there will be plenty of opportunities for spectators to see the riders in the flesh as they complete a circuit of the city centre to get Stage Six under way. 

The riders line-up for the start flag on Town Road, outside intu Potteries, at 10.30am, where they will be led out onto the course by a group of youngsters from Lyme Racing Club. From there, they will join Potteries Way at top of Town Road and head to the bus station roundabout, where they will turn right up Lichfield Street and then left onto Albion Street, winding past the Grade One listed Hanley Town Hall.

The route will then head down Cheapside and turn right onto Piccadilly, before taking a left turn onto Stafford Street and heading up Quadrant Road. From there, they will turn onto Town Road and go through the start line again, before carrying on past the statue of Sir Stanley Matthews and turning left on Old Hall Street and back onto Potteries Way.

Next for the cyclists will be a left turn onto Botteslow Street and down through City Waterside before joining Leek Road and carrying on through Lime Kiln Lights, past Carmountside Crematorium, through Baddeley Green and onto Leek New Road. The riders will then make their way to Leek – passing through Stockton Brook and Endon on the way – before tackling Buxton, Bakewell and the Derbyshire Dales, arriving in Nottingham city centre around 3.30pm.

You can find an interactive Ordnance Survey map of Stage Six here.

Councillor Terry Follows, cabinet member for greener city, development and leisure, said: “Having recently been confirmed as a European City of Sport for the UK for 2016, it’s great to be bringing the Tour of Britain back to the city for the seventh time.

“This event draws people to the city which gives the economy a boost, it raises the profile of the area to a national and international audience through live TV coverage and also encourages cycling among residents, with consequent health benefits, so it’s good news all round.

“It’s going to be a spectacular sight and I hope to see lots of people out in force cheering the riders on and giving them a great Stoke-on-Trent reception like they have always done in previous years.”

The race was last held in the city in 2013. Independent research commissioned by the Tour after the event found the city’s economy received a boost of £593,000 from hosting the race, with 20,000 spectators thought to have cheered on the cyclists. It was also watched by 356,000 people live on ITV, while a further 619,000 viewed the highlights, exposing the city to a large audience. Of those questioned at the event, 73 per cent said watching the race first-hand had inspired them to cycle more regularly.

ITV4 and British Eurosport will be screening three-hours of live coverage of the race each day this year, plus a one-hour highlights programme in the evening. The programmes are also shown around the world in more than 120 countries to over 200 million homes.

Jane Gratton, deputy chief executive at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “Staging high profile events like the Aviva Tour of Britain puts the national spotlight firmly on Stoke-on-Trent and raises the profile of the area for all the right reasons.

“It generates a positive atmosphere in the city centre and gives a boost to the local economy, with businesses benefiting from the higher level of visitors on the day.”

Details of this year’s teams have yet to be announced but in the past cyclists taking part in the event have included the likes of Olympic gold medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish.

Mick Bennett, Race Director of the Aviva Tour of Britain, said: “We have always enjoyed an excellent reception from fans in and around Stoke-on-Trent so we are delighted to be bringing the Aviva Tour of Britain back to the city this September. 

“The stage will start right in the heart of the city from a location we know well with the Pearl Izumi Tour Series and showcase not only the city centre, but also the fantastic countryside on the doorstep of Stoke-on-Trent with stage six heading through the Staffordshire Moorlands into the Peak District National Park for a tough day’s racing to Nottingham.”