TOM Dumoulin will go head-to-head with British time trialists Alex Dowsett and Ian Stannard on this year's Tour of Britain after the trio were among the latest riders to be confirmed for the race.
Dutch time trial champion Dumoulin, who won two stages on this year's Tour de France, will be making his debut in the Tour of Britain, although will perhaps be targeting the 15km time trial in Bristol rather than the hilly stage two between Carlisle and Kendal on Monday, September 5.
The same could be said for Movistar's Dowsett, who is the current holder and four-time winner of the British time trial championship, and Team Sky rider Stannard – both of whom have ridden in this race before.
Dowsett is a former wearer of the leaders' yellow jersey on the Tour though, having worn it for one day in 2014 after joining a breakaway and finishing second on the stage between Bath and Hemel Hempstead.
“It will be a rare treat for spectators to see the likes of Tom and Alex going head-to-head with Sir Bradley Wiggins, Rohan Dennis and others on British roads,” said race director Mick Bennett.
Also joining the line-up for the race is Ireland's Ryan Mullen, who finished runner-up in the 2014 Under-23 World Time Trial Championship and rides for Cannondale-Drapac.
“It's one of the races I genuinely look forward to in the season,” said Mullen. “It was the first week-long professional stage race I ever rode and I really hope to make a return every year.
“The crowds are always electric and the whole atmosphere of racing on effectively home roads is so cool. Sadly, it's always an absolute slogging match, but it's one I do enjoy - I think!”
The quartet add to an already strong line-up for the race which includes British Olympic medalists Wiggins, Owain Doull and Mark Cavendish, and top foreign riders such as Andre Greipel.
Read more: Sir Bradley Wiggins joins Tour of Britain line-up
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