BRADLEY Wiggins will be riding in the streets of Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire next week after confirming he will lead Team Sky's squad at the 2014 Friends Life Tour of Britain.

Stage four of the race will go through Wotton-under-Edge Charfield, Cromhall, Rangeworthy, Iron Acton, Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne next Wednesday, September 10.

Returning to the race with the number one of defending champion on his back, Wiggins has one of the most impressive palmares in all of modern day cycling. The 2012 Tour de France winner knows the Tour of Britain well having ridden in five of the last six editions.

He said: "The Tour of Britain is a special race for me so to be returning as defending champion is a real honour.

"It's always been a tough race but the support we receive from the fans is incredible, and it's our home tour so I've always enjoyed racing it.

"From the start of the year it's always been a goal of mine to race to the Tour of Britain. The race is growing in stature year on year and it's our chance to go there with a strong team and race in front of home fans to thank them for their support over the season.

"Cycling's now more popular than ever before in the UK with over a million more people are getting out on their bikes. This is great for the sport we love and Sky and British Cycling have been at the heart of this transformation."