Olympic Games time trial silver medallist Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) heads a field of world-class testers at the Tour of Britain as some of the sport's best will test themselves against the clock in Bristol.
Dumoulin joins the likes of Alex Dowsett (Movistar), Rohan Dennis (BMC) and Sir Bradley Wiggins in the week-long race, which features a 15km time trial around the western city, which could go some way to deciding the overall winner.
Also setting their sights on the time trial win on September 10. will be the likes of Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) and Ryan Mullen (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!”
>>>Tour of Britain 2016 route: stage by stage
While always attracting some of the world's best riders, this year's Tour of Britain has raised the bar by attracting sprinters such as Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel, Tour de France stage winners like Steve Cummings and Monument champions like Wout Poels.
"The addition of riders of the calibre of Tom Dumoulin and Alex Dowsett to the provisional rider list will make the time trial on the Bristol stage a must-see event,” said Tour of Britain race director Mick Bennett.
"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. We now look forward to seeing who will triumph on what is a tough time trial course.”
The Tour of Britain begins in Glasgow on Sunday, September 4, moving south towards Bath and Dartmoor before a split stage in Bristol on September 10 and culminating with the traditional criterium in London the following day.
