The world’s best cyclists will be racing through the South Hams for the second stage of the Tour of Britain.

Devon County Council said that the second leg of the UK’s most prestigious cycle race will be setting off from Sherford on September 7, 2020.

Organisers had already unveiled Cornwall as the location of the Grand Depart on September 6, 2020.

The race will then move across the border for the Devon Stage, which finishes in Exeter city centre.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, of Devon County Council, said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting another stage of The Tour.

"Crowds in Devon are among the most passionate and supportive in this race and I’m sure they’ll do us proud again in 2020.

"Devon made history as the first stage of the Tour of Britain to host a summit finish when the race celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013.

"We were also the first stage to race through a building when the 2018 stage went through South Molton Pannier Market, and no doubt we’ll have another exciting stage in prospect next year.

“With next year’s Tour starting in our neighbouring county of Cornwall, it should be another spectacular Tour for our county.

"To give the riders and spectators two days in our region by racing through Devon as well as Cornwall has the potential for a big economic boost for our region and it’s always a great opportunity to showcase Devon as a premier destination for cycling tourism.”

The 2020 Tour of Britain will be the 17th edition of the modern era of the Tour – and it will be the 11th time Devon has featured in the race.

In that time more than 1.7m people have lined the routes in Devon to watch the stages in the county and it has generated over £41m for the local economy.

Tour of Britain race director Mick Bennett said: “We are delighted to confirm the return of Devon to the Tour of Britain route in September 2020.

"The early announcement of our South West stages will contribute to making next year’s race bigger and better than ever before and allow fans from across the UK to begin planning their trip to the opening weekend of the race.”

Further details of the Devon stage will be announced alongside the full route for the 2020 Tour of Britain at the national launch of the race in the Spring.