A POSSE of the world’s fastest bike racers will be scorching through our patch later in the year in a race against the clock.

More than 100 top cyclists will be competing against the clock in an individual time trial, which starts and finishes at Knowsley Safari Park as part of the UK’s major race – The Tour of Britain – on Tuesday, September 17.

The time trial involves cyclists riding alone, timed over a set distance Riders will leave Knowsley Safari Park in one-minute intervals and follow a 16-kilometre course.

Cyclists will turn left out of the safari park onto the A58 Prescot by-pass, take the first exit at the roundabout onto St Helens Road and then perform a sharp U-turn before the traffic lights at the junction with Burrows Lane.

They will then head back to the roundabout and take the second exit onto St Helens Road towards Prescot, turn right at the traffic lights onto High Street, along Derby Street, across both roundabouts over the M57 on A57 Liverpool Road and onto Knowsley Lane.

They will continue on Knowsley Lane through Knowsley Village, turning right onto Mill Lane, right onto Ormskirk Road and into the Knowsley Hall Estate.

They will then exit Knowsley Hall Estate at George Hale Avenue, turning left onto Knowsley Lane.

At the roundabout they will then head back onto the A58 Prescot by-pass and turn left into Knowsley Safari Park.

The first rider will leave the start gate at noon, and as part of its journey, streets, local residents, schools, businesses and community groups are being invited to welcome the national cycle race.

Organisers say this is a fantastic opportunity to come along and watch this free, televised world-class event.

Throughout the day there will be numerous activities in the safari park and around the route.

Further details, including the map of the route, are available on discoverknowsley.co.uk.

Knowsley Councillor Eddie Connor, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Community and Culture, said: “Following the success of last year’s Tour we’re delighted to be welcoming back this major sporting event to the borough.

“The growing number of spectators and worldwide TV audience makes The Tour of Britain the perfect platform to showcase Knowsley as a premier destination for cycling, particularly with our outdoor velodrome and BMX tracks, and we are seeing more and more people cycling in our borough.

“We look forward to providing a warm welcome to The Tour of Britain competitors and supporters.”

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain Race Director, said: “It is fantastic that we can celebrate 10 years of The Tour of Britain with an individual time trial over such an iconic distance as 10 miles.

“Come September the eyes of the world will be on Knowsley to see the world’s top cyclists going head-to-head against the clock, on what will be a very fast route for stage three.”