SIR Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish will both race through the streets of Bucks next week in the Tour of Britain.

Olympic and Tour de France winner Wiggins will defend his title as part of a six-strong Team Sky squad also including Ian Stannard and Ben Swift.

He said: “The Tour of Britain is a special race for me so to be returning as defending champion is a real honour.

"It's always been a tough race but the support we receive from the fans is incredible, and it's our home tour so I've always enjoyed racing it.

"From the start of the year it's always been a goal of mine to race to the Tour of Britain. The race is growing in stature year on year and it's our chance to go there with a strong team and race in front of home fans to thank them for their support over the season.

"Cycling's now more popular than ever before in the UK with over a million more people are getting out on their bikes."

Meanwhile, Cavendish has been named in the provisional Omega Pharma-QuickStep team and will hope to add to his record ten sprint victories.

The race starts in Liverpool this weekend before Stage Six takes the peloton through Bucks next Friday on its way to a London finish two days later.

The route passes through Chinnor, Princes Risborough, Great Missenden and Chesham.