The Tour of Britain cycle race is to return to Caerphilly in 2013 for the third time.
The tour will take place between the September 15 and 22 and Caerphilly will form part of stage five being held on September 19. This will see cyclists race 177 kilometres from Machynlleth to Caerphilly with two ascents of Caerphilly Mountain before the final finish line.
It will be the second Welsh stage finish of this year’s Tour if Britain with riders.
Stage Four, beginning in Stoke-on-Trent will head through Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd, before the finish in Llanberis at the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s leader Harry Andrews said: “We are delighted to be playing host to such a prestigious national event, which offers a real opportunity to showcase Caerphilly county borough to a worldwide audience once again this year.
“I have no doubt that our residents will get fully behind this event as they have so commendably in previous years, and line the streets in their thousands to cheer on the cyclists.”
First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said, “I was privileged to be able to make the winner’s presentation for the gruelling Stage Six of The Tour of Britain last year, when riders completed the Welsh leg of the event against the stunning backdrop of Caerphilly Castle.
“Anyone who witnessed the reaction of the huge Welsh crowds as the competitors tackled the various challenges of the Welsh landscape, finishing with the two thrilling climbs of Caerphilly Mountain, will realise just how warmly the Welsh public embraced this event and will have had their appetites whetted for an even more exciting 2013.”
“We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with the Welsh Government and bringing two stage finishes to Wales this year,” said Race Director Mick Bennett.
“Stage Four provides the opportunity to take The Tour to new areas in North Wales, with a route and finish in the Snowdonia National Park that will be very popular. A day later spectators can look forward to the return of Caerphilly Mountain, on what will be another very challenging stage.”
Last year hundreds of people lined the streets of Caerphilly County Borough as it hosted a stage for the second time.