CEREDIGION County Council says spectators will not be permitted to attend the start of the fourth stage of the prestigious Tour of Britain.

Aberaeron has been chosen this year as a host venue to start a round of the keenly-anticipated road cycling race on 8 September.

The route will take some of the best professional riders in the world up to Aberystwyth and then to Borth, before moving on to Barmouth.

The eight-stage event is the UK’s most acclaimed international road cycling race, and will showcase the county to a global audience.

But the Council said it will be "maintaining public safety" as it confirmed that the start of the west Wales stage will be "a closed start."

"Ceredigion County Council, in collaboration with the Tour of Britain organisers, are maintaining public safety and Aberaeron will be a closed stage start," a statement confirmed.

"Spectators will not be allowed at the start of the fourth stage location.

"Nevertheless, spectators can continue to support the event along the route while being mindful of social distancing and practice road safety as a pedestrian, cyclist and fan.

"Fans can also enjoy watching the event from the comfort of their own home as it will be televised."

Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, said there will be extensive television coverage of the race.

"We’re delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain to Ceredigion this year," she said.

"As the Tour travels up the wonderful coastline from Aberaeron towards the north of the county, people will be able to experience the breathtaking scenery through the extensive coverage of the race on ITV4.

"Active travel and improving our health and wellbeing is a key priority for us here in Ceredigion; this may be the event for you that will spark a new interest in cycling. If so, Ceredigion is ready with our abundance of trails and tracks for you to explore.”

Meanwhile some roads will close temporarily during the event under rolling closures between 10am and 1.30pm, including the A487 Aberaeron to Aberystwyth trunk road.

There will also be temporary closures on Alexander Road and Terrace Road, Aberystwyth; A487 North Parade to Rhydypennau, B4353 to Borth, Ynyslas, Llancynfelin and Tre'r-ddol and A487 north from Tre’r-ddol to the county boundary with Powys.

Mark Cavendish, regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time, has been confirmed as the first rider for this year’s Tour of Britain.

A world champion on both road and track, he equalled Eddy Merckx’s long-standing record of 34 stage victories in the Tour de France, and won the race’s prestigious points competition in July.

Meanwhile Tokyo 2020 Olympic medallist and six-time Tour de France stage winner Wout van Aert will be making his Tour of Britain debut.