Further details of what promises to be a stunning edition of the Tour of Britain in September have today been revealed, confirming the planned return of the race to Wales for two stages on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 7 and 8, in line with the planned move of Wales to level zero on August 7.

Wales will host not only the longest and arguably toughest stage of the race, from Aberaeron to the summit of the Great Orme above Llandudno on stage four, but also a team time trial for the first, pitting the world’s top teams against each other on a 27.5-kilometre route in Carmarthenshire.

Rescheduled to 2021 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 17th edition of the UK’s most prestigious stage race (Sunday 5-12 September) will begin in Cornwall, covering 1,320km (820m) before the finish in Aberdeen, with Scotland also hosting two stages. All the action will be broadcast live on ITV4 in the UK and around the world.

The race will go ahead subject to local conditions and in line with relevant national guidelines and UCI protocols. Organisers SweetSpot are working closely with the Welsh Government and all the local authorities along the route in Wales to ensure that the event can take place safely

The last full stage of the Tour of Britain to take place in Wales was in September 2018, when Carmarthenshire hosted the Grand Depart of the race. This year sees a team time trial feature for only the second time in Tour of Britain history on stage three (Tuesday 7 September), and for the first time in Wales.

The Carmarthenshire team time trial stage will see the world’s best tackle a 27.5-kilometre route, starting from Llandeilo and finishing at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, which is home to the world's largest single-span glasshouse.

Stage four (Wednesday 8 September) – the Queen stage of the 2021 race - will culminate with a finish atop the Great Orme in Llandudno. The 215-kilometre route will take the race to parts of Wales for the first time in modern Tour history, including Aberaeron, the start host venue, Aberystwyth, Borth and Barmouth.

A tough ending to the stage features Coed y Brenin Forest Park, Snowdonia National Park and an ascent of the Great Orme’s Marine Drive toll road before tackling the 1.9km, 9.8% average climb that runs parallel to the famous tramway up to the finish.

Leader of Ceredigion County Council Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn said, "We’re delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain to Ceredigion this year. As the tour travels up the wonderful coastline from Aberaeron towards the north of the County, people will be able to experience the breath-taking scenery through the extensive coverage of the Tour.”

The Tour of Britain last visited the Great Orme in 2014 when Mark Renshaw won a stage finishing in Llandudno, but the modern Tour of Britain has never climbed to the summit.

Detailed routes and timetables for the Tour of Britain stages can now be found by visiting tourofbritain.co.uk/stages while more information for spectators for both Welsh stages will be announced in the coming weeks.

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said: “This year’s Tour of Britain route is truly spectacular, covering a greater geographical area than we’ve ever done before while also ticking off several things we’ve wanted to do for a long time."

Six British teams have already been confirmed for the Tour of Britain, including the Great Britain national team, with the full roster of 18 teams to be confirmed later this month.