Cycling fans will be able to watch live coverage of this year's Tour of Britain on the BIKE Channel, thanks to a pay-tv agreement signed with Tour organisers Sweetspot.

The UK's largest professional cycle race will be screened live exclusively on BIKE Channel UK this summer, featuring a record ten World Tour teams. British favourites Bradley Wiggins (Team WIGGINS) and Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) will be racing on home roads, along with top-tier squads from the likes of Team Sky, Movistar and BMC.

The Tour of Britain starts in Glasgow this September before the traditional finish on The Mall in London.
The Tour of Britain starts in Glasgow this September before the traditional finish on The Mall in London.

In total 17 teams have so far been confirmed:

• An Post Chain Reaction (IRL)

• Bardiani CSF (Ita)

• BMC Racing Team (USA)

• Cannondale Drapac Pro Cycling Team (USA)

• Caja Rural - Seguros RGA (SPA)

• Great Britain national team (GBR)

• Lotto Soudal (BEL)

• ONE Pro Cycling (GBR)

• Orica BikeExchange (AUS)

• Movistar Team (SPA)

• Team Dimension Data (RSA)

• Team Giant Alpecin (GER)

• Team LottoNL Jumbo (NED)

• Team Sky (GBR)

• Team WIGGINS (GBR)

• Trek Segafredo (USA)

• Wanty Groupe Gobert (BEL)

After starting in Glasgow on 4 September, the 1,297km route passes through the Lake District, Wales and Dartmoor, before finishing on Regent Street in central London on Sunday 11 September. The route promises to test riders' limits and BIKE, the UK's only 24-hour cycling channel, will be there for every pedal stroke as this iconic event unfolds, with three hours of live coverage from every stage.

The Tour of Britain is the cornerstone of the British cycling calendar, and the UK's largest free-to-watch sporting event, attracting more than one million spectators. This year's Tour is the biggest in its history, and the event continues to grow with cycling popularity nationwide.

Tour of Britain 2016 stage map.
Tour of Britain 2016 stage map.
 

Filippo Ubaldini, Founder and CEO of BIKE Channel, said: "The Tour of Britain is one of the most important tours on the calendar and we are delighted to bring it to BIKE this summer. We are sure fans will love following our dedicated coverage of eight days of racing through stunning British countryside before what promises to be an exciting sprint finish in London."

Mick Bennett, Race Director of the Tour of Britain, said: "With 10 WorldTour teams riding in this year's Tour of Britain, the race is now the biggest it's ever been. BIKE's coverage - available in over 17 million households in the UK - will bring the Tour of Britain to new audiences and is key to the continued growth of the country's national Tour."

Fans can follow all the live action from this summer's Tour of Britain from the comfort of their own home with BIKE, available on Sky channel 464, Virgin Media channel 552 and Freesat channel 251.

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