Major sporting event set to be shown on free-to-air TV as ITV confirm deal just one week before start

ITV have confirmed their rights to show this year's Tour of Britain.

The gruelling six-day cycling race will be shown live on ITV4, with the announcement coming just one week before the event begins.

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The road cycling stage race, which first began in 1945, will start on September 3 in the Scottish town of Kelso.

Cyclists will then make their way down the country in a 943.9km race that will pass through the likes of Darlington, Sheffield, Derby and Northampton before culminating in Felixstowe six days later.

Some of the world's best cyclists will be taking part in the race including double Olympic gold medallist Remco Evenepoel and Team GB's Olympic hero Tom Pidcock.

Pidcock, who will be racing for Ineos Grenadiers, won gold for Team GB in Paris this summer.

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The 25-year-old Leeds lad took top spot in the Men's Cross-Counry Mountain Biking event in incredible style after fighting back from a flat tyre.

His Olympic triumph could bring some fresh eyes to the sport with Jonathan Day, managing director at British Cycling Events, hoping that ITV's coverage will give everyone a glimpse of the action for free.

Day said: "Bringing the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men to as many people as possible whether at the roadside or at home on television, is of huge importance to us.

"We’re delighted to once again have full live free to air coverage of every stage.

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"And with the riders announced so far we know it will be one to remember so fans can look forward to six exciting days of action."

Pidcock will be hoping he can become the first Brit to win the race since 2016 when Steve Cummings came out on top.

ITV's coverage will be presented by Matt Barbet with commentary duo Ned Boulting and David Millar describing the action for fans.

While it won't just be live coverage available to fans, but also a one-hour highlights show every evening on ITV4.