An iconic cycle race will be returning to Powys later this year when the county hosts a stage finish for the first time.

The Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest cycle race, will see cycling’s elite return to the county on Wednesday 7 September in this year’s sporting spectacle.

Powys will host a dramatic climax to Stage Four of the race when riders sprint to the stage finish that will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells.

Stage Four is expected to be the longest stage in this year’s event at 217 kilometers and will start in Denbigh in north Wales. When it enters Powys the race is expected to go through Llangadfan, the Dyfi Valley, Llanbrynmair, Llanidloes, Rhayader, Newbridge-on-Wye and then into the showground.

It will be the sixth time in seven years that the Tour of Britain has visited Powys with the county hosting race starts from 2010 to 2014 in Newtown, Machynlleth and Welshpool.

Cllr Avril York, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “I’m delighted that this fantastic sporting spectacle is returning to Powys – the green heart of Wales. We have been proud to host five Tour of Britain starts since 2010 but to have the race finish in the county for the first time is truly exciting.

“This high profile event will have a huge economic impact on our county and will provide a financial boost to local businesses. The stage finish will also provide a huge opportunity to showcase the beauty of our county to millions across the world when the event is broadcast worldwide.

“Bringing a finish stage of the Tour of Britain is a major coup for the county. We look forward to working with the Tour of Britain, the Welsh Government and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society over the coming months to ensure that we make this a memorable occasion for all when our county will once again warmly welcomes the race in September.”

Steve Hughson, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS), said: ““The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is delighted to be able to host one of the stage finals of this iconic event. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the first-rate facilities here at the showground and to work together with the local community in mid-Wales.”

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain Race Director, said: “We have worked with our partners at Denbighshire and Powys councils over the past year’s to ensure that we can bring a Start and a Finish to each respectively for the first time in the history of the modern Tour of Britain. Both councils have supported the Tour of Britain in the past so we are pleased to be able to link the two with a new route.

“The stage route south through the heart of Wales will use a lot of roads previously unvisited by the Tour of Britain in the Cambrian Mountains including a great deal of climbing, before a flat run in along the Wye Valley to the finish on the Royal Welsh Showground, which will see an intriguing battle between the teams of the sprinters and overall contenders.”