A LINE-UP of top cyclists has been announced for the televised bike race which is coming to Colchester.

Three-time Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins will be in the field for the Tour of Britain, which starts on Saturday and comes to town for its penultimate leg on September 17.

He will be joined by World, Olympic and Commonwealth champions, plus a whole host of stage winners from the world’s biggest races.

Leading the way are British Olympians Steve Cummings, Ed Clancy and Geraint Thomas, who boast a clutch of medals between them from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Cummings is also a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, along with Matthew Hayman, Greg Henderson and Mark Renshaw, who will also be taking part.

Excitement is building ahead of the big race, Britain’s answer to the Tour de France, highlights of which will be screened nightly from 7pm to 8pm on ITV4.

Thousands of spectators are expected to turn out in Colchester as the riders sweep into town along Maldon Road and Southway and sprint up East Hill to the finishing line, outside Castle Park gates.

Colchester Council is hosting a cycling festival in the park to coincide with the event and has now announced plans for a grass-track biking event to give residents a taste of the action.

The Colchester Rovers cycling club are organising the session, between 5pm and 7pm, and companies are invited to enter teams of three or four riders, who will need their own bikes and helmets.

Places are limited and anyone interested in taking part should e-mail acheverst@ntlworld.com