A FORMER Tour of Britain winner will be coming to Cheshire next month.

Julian Alaphilippe will be taking part in the race, including the leg finishing in Warrington on September 9, for the first time since his victory in 2018.

He will lead the Belgian Deceuninck – Quick-Step team during the eight-day tour, alongside the previously announced Mark Cavendish.

Alaphilippe has been described as ‘one of the most loved riders in the peloton, with a perfect record in the tour’ and will be one of the favourites to claim the title again in 2021.

The 29-year-old Frenchman will wear the rainbow jersey during the Tour of Britain due to his win in the ICI World Championships last year.

He said: “I am really looking forward to racing the Tour of Britain, which will be my last in the rainbow jersey, that I have been so proud to wear for the last 12 months.

“I had a successful race in Britain the last time I was there in 2018, and I know it will be a hard-fought race this time.

“It will be the perfect race for me to take on ahead of the World Championships.

“We come here with a strong team and will look to race hard, as we always do.”