TOWNS near Whitchurch set to be a part of Tour of Britain 2023, as the tour returns to Wrexham after an eight-year hiatus.

The race is set to take cyclists through Malpas and Bangor-on-Dee as the route embarks on a clockwise circuit, venturing into Cheshire before reentering Welsh territory near Threapwood.

A notable highlight lies in passing Brother UK's revolutionary Ruabon facility, renowned for its zero-carbon and zero-waste-to-landfill innovations, shortly after the cottages.com sprint.

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Stage two presents a historical element, emerging as the second shortest point-to-point road stage in Tour history, surpassed only by the 2006 race finale from Greenwich to The Mall in London, covering a mere 82 kilometers.

The finish line at Wrexham echoes the location used during the 2015 race, where Elia Viviani emerged victorious in a gripping three-way sprint against André Greipel and Mark Cavendish, drawing a crowd of around 10,000 spectators.

In 2022 Viviani's formidable performance secured him three stage wins out of eight, yet it was Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway who clinched the championship through overall general classifications.

Boasson Hagen donned the revered yellow jersey, trailed by Wout Poels and Owain Doull.

The British event garnered added prestige with three Brits reigning victorious in the points, general, and sprints categories.

The return of the Tour of Britain to Wrexham was announced in February, with the stage crossing North Wales and England.

Although Wrexham previously co-hosted the Grand Départ eight years ago, it will now see its inaugural stage start, adding a fresh dimension to the race's history.

Cycling enthusiasts worldwide can tune in to catch the exhilarating action, as ITV4 broadcasts all eight stages live from start to finish, a tradition maintained for the fifth consecutive edition.

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Additionally, a one-hour nightly highlights show will provide a condensed recap.

Anticipation builds for the 2023 race, poised to challenge riders with a daunting 1308.5-kilometer route spanning Glasgow to London.

Despite the increase in hill stages, cyclists predict that this year's course will be no less demanding than the previous edition, with only the final two stages offering flat terrains.

Moreover, the Tour of Britain plays a crucial role in riders' preparations for the imminent World Championships in Doha, Qatar, beginning a mere three weeks after the Tour's conclusion.