ORGANISERS are gearing up for the prestigious cycling competition which will speed its way across Tendring.

It will be the first time the best of the world’s men’s road race cyclists will hit the streets of Clacton for the OVO Tour of Britain.

Tendring Council secured stage five of the event, an individual time trial stage over a ten-mile open, coastal course on September 7.

Tanya Ferguson, councillor responsible for tourism and events, said it was an honour and privilege for the district to host such top international sporting competition.

She said: “Outside of the Olympics we could not attract anything bigger than the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain to Tendring and it is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to see the best of the world’s riders on the doorstep.

“As it is a time trial with the cyclists racing against the clock there will be constant action to watch and admire and it will also bring us worldwide television coverage which will be a boost for tourism.

“Hopefully it will inspire youngsters to take up the sport and just maybe the next Sir Bradley Wiggins will come from Clacton.”

She said the course has now been planned out and Tendring Council is about to start the process of informing all residents and businesses who will be affected on the day.

The district hosted the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in both 2014 and 2015, which generated huge interest in the area with tens of thousands of spectators along the route and global television coverage.

Mrs Ferguson described Stage 5 as unique and added it was the only time trial in this year’s race.

She said: “It will help us to prolong our holiday season into September and will be another huge event to follow on after the Clacton Airshow on August 24 and 25.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders.

The eight-stage event starts in Edinburgh on September 3 and will end in Cardiff on September 10.