CYCLING stars like Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish could be racing through the Forest and Wye Valley next month as the 2016 Tour of Britain gets underway.

Thousands of spectators are expected to line the roads as stage five of the arduous race from Aberdare in South Wales to Bath hits the Forest on Thursday, September 8.

The race covers 205km and involves 3,675m of climbing.

Cyclists are expected to arrive in Trellech and reach Gloucester in 1hr 7mins travelling at

at least 25mph.

Key areas cyclists will pass during the afternoon are: Llandogo at 12.39pm, Clearwell (12.50pm), Coleford (12.54pm), Broadwell (12.57pm), Speech House (1.02pm), Cinderford (1.06pm), Littledean (1.08pm), Westbury-on-Severn (1.15pm), Minsterworth (1.26pm) and Highnam Roundabout (1.33pm).

Although there are no formal road closures, event organisers say a ‘rolling road closure’ system will be in place. This involves a temporary closure of access routes where the race passes through and will reopen once all riders and race cars have passed.

Gloucestershire County Council says signs will be in place ahead of the event to warn of possible delays.

The Tour of Britain is the UK’s biggest professional cycle race, with 20 teams from around the world competing.

For more details of the route, including an interactive stage map and an ETA of timings, visit www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage5/index.php

The race starts in Glasgow on September 4 and is expected to finish in London on September 11.

•See this week’s Review for more information.