THE 2015 Aviva Tour of Britain gets under way next month with Scotland gearing up to welcome many of the world's top cyclists, including former world champion Mark Cavendish.

The event will come to Kelso and Edinburgh, marking its debut visit to the capital and the first time that it will be on Scottish soil twice within the same race.

The eight-day stage race gets under way in Wales on September 6 and will arrive in Scotland two days later.

Stage three will begin in Cumbria on September 8 before winding its way north-east through Dumfries and Galloway towards Kelso where the final kilometres of the race will take place in the grounds of 18th-century Floors Castle.

The following day’s racing will resume in Edinburgh with stage four departing from Holyrood Park through the city streets into East Lothian and the Scottish Borders before finishing in Blyth, Northumberland.

The Herald:

Here’s your guide by numbers to what to expect:

9 UCI WorldTeams competing making it the biggest line-up to date. In action will be BMC Racing, Etixx Quick-Step, IAM Cycling, Lotto Soudal, Movistar, Cannondale-Garmin, Lotto NL Jumbo, Team Sky and Tinkoff-Saxo.

3 squads making their debut: ONE Pro Cycling, co-owned by former England cricketer Matt Prior; Team WIGGINS, led by Olympic champion and 2012 Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins; and Denmark’s Cult Energy Pro Cycling.

120 riders in total across 20 teams including British squads JLT Condor presented by Mavic, Madison Genesis, NFTO, Team Raleigh GAC and the Great Britain Cycling Team.

217.4km the distance that will be covered on stage four from Edinburgh to Blyth. That’s 135 miles in old money. Stage three – which begins in Cockermouth and ends in Kelso – is 216km (134 miles).

2009 the year that reigning Norwegian road race and time trial champion Edvald Boasson Hagen won. That was also the last time he competed in the event. He will be riding for MTN Qhubeka.

4 days spent in the Tour de France king of the mountains jersey by Eritrean rider Daniel Teklehaimanot earlier this summer – the first African rider to wear the iconic maillot a pois rouges. The 26-year-old has also been named in the MTN Qhubeka team for the 2015 Aviva Tour of Britain.

1721 the year that Floors Castle in Kelso – the finish on stage three – was built. The majestic building featured in the 1984 movie Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes.

10 stage wins by Mark Cavendish in the Aviva Tour of Britain – more than any other rider in the modern incarnation of the race.

EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION IN THE HERALD

The Herald has teamed up with Chain Reaction Cycles to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an exclusive VIP day out for two people at the 2015 Aviva Tour of Britain stage three finish at Floors Castle, Kelso, on September 8 and an incredible Vitus DEE City Bike.

Prize includes: access to the VIP area, buffet lunch, refreshments, two goody bags which include a Chain Reaction Cycles Pro Clothing Bundle and the Vitus DEE City Bike. For details of how to win, pick up a copy of The Herald today (Friday, August 28). Entry closes Sunday, August 30.

TOUR OF BRITAIN-THEMED EVENTS

Mur D’Arthur

On the eve of the 2015 Aviva Tour of Britain visiting the Scottish capital, Ronde Cycle Club will host the high-octane Mur D’Arthur against the iconic backdrop of Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.

Set on one of the city’s steepest sections of road covering 1.2km (0.75 miles) on Arthur’s Seat, it offers novice and club cyclists alike a chance to sprint for glory in a bid to be crowned fastest climber.  

The event will include junior and GoRide novice categories, equal prize money for men and women, chip timing and a commentator. Other highlights include a coffee kiosk and an opportunity to test out demo bikes from the Ridley range.

Mur D’Arthur takes place at Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, on September 8 from 4.30pm. Entry closes on September 5 and costs £5-£8 depending on race category. Visit rondecc.com/mur-darthur

The Yellow Jersey Cycling Panel

Ever wondered what happens behind-the-scenes of a big stage race? ITV presenter Ned Boulting and fellow authors William Fotheringham and Richard Moore will spill the beans at a special event in Edinburgh on September 8.

Veterans of reporting on the world cycling scene, they will discuss the British obsession with all things bikes and reveal what life is really like on a cycling Tour: the highs, the lows and the scandal. The no-doubt lively proceedings will be chaired by Nick Barley, Edinburgh Book Festival Director.

The Yellow Jersey Cycling Panel takes place at Edinburgh Lyceum on September 8 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12.50. Visit lyceum.org.uk

Etixx Quick-Step fan zone

The Etixx Quick-Step team of Mark Cavendish will be hosting a 30-minute cycling nutrition talk for 15 lucky fans amid the plush surrounds of their Etixx TourX bus in the promo zone at 2pm on the stage three finish at Floors Castle, Kelso, on September 8.

Each day throughout the 2015 Aviva Tour of Britain, the team will have a 1km cycle challenge on static bikes with the winning male and female rider receiving a Tacx bottle cage and free Etixx products.

Those who travel to the stage four finish at Blyth, Northumberland, on September 9 will have the chance to meet tsome of the riders head to the Etixx TourX bus for an autograph session.

The Herald:

For more information on the 2015 Aviva Tour of Britain, visit tourofbritain.co.uk