Tour of Britain 2010 to take in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Wales

The route of the 2010 Tour of Britain has been revealed, with Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex included for the first time and Wales being visited for the first time since the event's revival in 2004. The tour will take place over eight days from 11 September, when it will get under way in Rochdale, finishing in London on 18 September. On the final day riders will face a circuit of the London borough of Newham, site of the 2012 Olympic Games. Team Sky will be making their first appearance in the race, with 96 cyclists and 16 teams scheduled to take part. "On the way from the Grand Depart to the final stage in London, riders will face tough routes and intense competition, while taking in some breathtaking views of our wonderful country," Michael Bennett, the Tour's technical director, said. 2010 Tour of Britain stages Stage 1 Rochdale to Blackpool (126km) Stage 2 Stoke-on-Trent (160km) Stage 3 Newton to Swansea (150km) Stage 4 Minehead to Teignmouth (171km) Stage 5 Tavistock to Glastonbury (176km) Stage 6 King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth (189km) Stage 7 Bury St Edmunds to Colchester (151km) Stage 8 London (100km)