PEDAL power will generate plenty of excitement as East Renfrewshire plays host to one of the most famous events in cycling.

The world’s top riders will saddle up for the OVO Energy Tour of Britain cycling race in September.

Organisers have revealed the route for the opening stage of the event, which will set off from Glasgow before heading south through East Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire and then crossing into Dumfries and Galloway.

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Competitors will ride through Giffnock, heading west towards Rouken Glen Park and then south-east towards Newton Mearns, via Stewarton Road.

From there, the race will cross the M77, heading south through Ayrshire.

East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton is among those who are planning to line the streets for the big event.

He told the Barrhead News: “It will be really great to welcome some of the best athletes in world cycling to East Renfrewshire later this year.

“I am sure they will be given a great welcome and I am looking forward to joining the crowds to cheer them all on.”

The UK’s most famous endurance cycling challenge will get underway on Saturday, September 8, with the first stage covering a gruelling 125-mile route that sets off from Glasgow city centre and finishes in Kirkcudbright.

When the Tour of Britain ‘Grand Depart’ was last hosted by Glasgow in 2016, thousands of people lined the city streets.

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And race organisers are confident this year’s event will bring a number of cycling fans to East Renfrewshire.

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said: “We hope that many take this opportunity to plan a visit.”

This year’s Tour of Britain will finish in Manchester city centre on Saturday, September 14.

Live free-to-air coverage of each stage will be broadcast on ITV4, along with a nightly highlights programme featuring the best of the action.

Exact road-by-road stage timetables for East Renfrewshire are due to be released closer to the event.