The 2019 Tour of Britain will end in Manchester city centre for the first time for 15 years in September.

The eighth and final leg of the race will start in Altrincham on September 14 and end on Deansgate after racing through all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs.

Beginning in George Square in Glasgow on September 7, this year’s eight-stage race follows a 1,250km route.

The race will also take in Newcastle, the Yorkshire Dales and Worcestershire.

The 165km Greater Manchester leg tracks anti-clockwise around the borough with almost 2,000m of climbing, including the famous climb of the Rake at Ramsbottom, before finishing on Deansgate in Manchester city centre.

French cyclist Julian Alaphillippe won the event in 2018.

“This year’s race is a quintessentially British affair, combining the short and sharp climbs we’re famed for with finishes for the world’s best sprinters and hopefully a few surprises along the way,” said race director Mick Bennett.

“This year’s route has been designed with spectators in mind, visiting three iconic cities and including uphill finishes that are guaranteed to create drama.”