A record number of professional teams will contest the 2009 edition of the Tour of Britain, which takes place over eight days from 12th to 19th September.

Top teams expected to take part include the Columbia squad of Milan-San Remo winner Mark Cavendish, the Garmin outfit of David Millar and Olympic pursuit champion Bradley Wiggins and Saxo Bank, which is the new version of Team CSC. Cavendish, points and sprints jersey, prologue and stage one winner in 2007 and points jersey winner in 2006, has yet to confirm his presence. Last year, he rode the Tour of Missouri instead and the race again clashes with the Tour of Britain.

New to the event will be Team Cervelo, Milram and Rabobank. There will also be a Team GB squad as well as domestic interest from Rapha Condor.

96 riders in total will take the start line in Scunthorpe for a route that, for the first time, visits Devon and which finishes with a 90km race around the iconic London circuit with an additional loop across Westminster Bridge on the final lap.