THE largest cycling race in the UK will make its return to Gwent for the first time in two years.

The fifth stage of the Tour of Britain, the premier road cycling event from British Cycling, will take cut through the area tomorrow.

The 205km stage will take the rider across Pontypool, Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley and into the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire via the Bigsweir Bridge, passing iconic landmarks such as Tintern Abbey.

Residents will get the chance to see some of the world's best teams and riders, including Sir Bradley Wiggins, competing right on their doorstep.

Commenting on the stages, Tour of Britain race director Mick Bennett said: “We are looking forward to this year’s Tour of Britain and taking in new venues and new climbs.

“These stages will be amongst the hardest in the Tour, and this year is no different with both stages in excess of 200 kilometres and containing plenty of climbing.”

Racers last visited Torfaen in 2013 when racers rode through Blackwood and finished in Caerphilly.

The race enters the borough from Caerphilly along Crumlin Road, passing along Albion Road, through Clarence Road, Rockhill Road and Usk Road, until it joins the A4042, leaving the borough and passing into Monmouthshire.

The region is a prime destination for cyclists, with the A466 through the Wye Valley being a big popular route for road cyclists.

The route enters the county at Mamhilad along the A4042 to Little Mill.

From there, the race follows the A472 through Usk and then on minor roads to Gwernesney, Llansoy, Trellech and Tintern before leaving Monmouthshire at Bigsweir Bridge near Llandogo.

Rolling road closures will be in place along the route in Monmouthshire between 11.30am and 1pm and between 11am to 12.30pm in Pontypool.

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesman said: "Having previously hosted a stage of the Tour of Britain, we know the value it adds economically and socially and therefore, once again, we welcome its passage through."

For more information and a detailed map of the route visit the Tour of Britain website at tourofbritain.co.uk