A CYCLING event that attracts some of the world's best riders will whizz through West Oxfordshire.

Tour of Britain, which claims to be the country's biggest professional cycle race, will pass through the county in September.

Event organisers released maps yesterday detailing the route, which spans between Edinburgh and Cardiff over a period of eight days.

Day seven will see riders tackle 186km from Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham on Saturday, September 9. 

Their route will take them north of Oxford near Islip, above Kidlington and across to Charlbury.

Witney Gazette:

Above: route map from Tour of Britain

More details about the exact route and any road closures will be announced nearer the time.

Teams have not yet been revealed for the annual race, which is open to riders across the globe, but previous years have starred big names including Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish.