After a disappointing exit from the Tour de France two days ago it has been announced that World Champion Tom Boonen (Quickstep-Innergetic) will now ride the six-stage Tour of Britain starting on August 29th.

Quickstep claimed the team prize last year and Nick Nuyens won the overall prize. Other ProTour teams that will take part include CSC, T-Mobile, Phonak-iShares and Davitamon-Lotto.

Race Director Tony Doyle said that:

“It’s great that Tom wants to ride the Tour of Britain again. Having the current Road Race World Champion and holder of the Tour de France yellow jersey for three days riding the Tour will be fantastic for the British public. Add this to the fact that several of the top teams, including CSC and T-Mobile have confirmed their participation, the field for the 2006 race will be the strongest yet.”

Boonen and the rest of the ToB peloton, will attend the Tour of Britain dinner, being held on Friday 1st September at the Café Royal in London. Boonen has previously ridden on British soil and managed a stage win in Nottingham in the 2004 race.

The Stages

Stage 1
29th August – Scotland, Glasgow to Castle Douglas

Stage 2
30th August – Northwest, Blackpool to Liverpool

Stage 3
31st August – Yorkshire, (final route to be confirmed)

Stage 4
1st September – West Midlands, Starting in Wolverhampton

Stage 5
2nd September – Southeast, Rochester to Canterbury

Stage 6
3rd September – London, Greenwich to The Mall

More here: www.tourofbritain.co.uk