Top cyclists from all over the country will head to Nottingham this year to take part in a major event.
A section of the Tour of Britain will be held in the city in September, when cyclists will line up to race from Nottingham Castle.
The event, which is Stage Two of the professional cycle race, will head from the castle across the county, ending at the Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside.
Councillor Jon Collins, Nottingham City Council’s leader, said: “Nottingham city has a proud tradition of hosting world class sporting events such as the cricket, tennis and watersport.
“Nottingham has a great cycling heritage with it being the birth place of one of the world’s most famous cycling manufacturers, Raleigh. And so it is fitting that Britain’s biggest professional cycle race starts here.”
The Tour of Britain was previously in the city in 2004 and 2006.
Race director Mick Bennett said: “We are very pleased to be returning to Nottingham this September, and look forward to bringing the excitement of a stage start to the city.
“Stage Two will be one of the most iconic stages of this year’s Tour, starting from the beautiful surrounds of Nottingham Castle and finishing at Knowsley Safari Park, it is sure to be one to remember for spectators.”
The 2012 Tour of Britain will take place between Sunday 9 and Sunday 16 September. It will start in East Anglia and will be in Nottingham on September 10. It is the UK’s biggest professional cycle race and the country’s largest free-to-watch sporting event.