THE route for the Colchester stage of the Tour of Britain has been announced.

Organisers have revealed the route for stage seven of Britain’s biggest cycle race will finish in Colchester town centre on September 17.

A total of 96 international cyclists, which could include Olympian Bradley Wiggins, will race down Maldon Road, past Colchester Zoo, before heading along Southway.

They will speed down Magdalen Street and Brook Street before climbing up East Hill to the finish line.

Moving road blocks will shut off the streets ahead of the cyclists and reopen them once the last stragglers have gone past.

There will be eight races within the main race.

About 25,000 spectators converged on the town for the Tour Series race last year.

Former Belgian national cycling champion Patrick Schills, who runs cycle shop Interbike, in Marks Tey, said the more prestigous Tour of Britain race should be an even bigger draw.

The ex-pro, whose dad was also a champ and whose son Dominic, 18, now races on the continent, said: “It’s going to be good for the town in general. Last year it pulled big crowds wherever it went.

“It is definitely the biggest cycle race in the country, except for in the years when the Tour de France has come here. This year, it will certainly be the biggest.”

As part of the event, Colchester Council will put on a day of activities in Castle Park.

The Tour of Britain starts in Rochdale on September 11 and works its way around the country until it finishes in London on September 18.