Eight days of racing will see the peloton tackle a varied course en route from Liverpool to London, with a split-stage awaiting in the capital as a grand finale.

A circuit around Liverpool kick-starts proceedings, with the sprinters – including Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) set to shine, while the British domestic riders will hope to fall back on their circuit racing experience during the British Cycling Grand Prix Series in a bid to cause an upset.

The sprinters could star again on stage two, which concludes with a fast descent over the Great Orme, but a stage which includes the North Welsh hilly ascents of Glascoed, up to Ty Gwyn and the Great Orme could also suit a late breakaway.

With three category-two climbs packed into the final 40 miles, the likes of Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp), Lars Boom (Belkin) and Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) will certainly be ones to keep an eye on.

Stage three is set to be the most decisive, however, with an undulating stage ending with the category-one ascent of The Tumble.

Last year’s sole summit finish, atop Haytor, saw Simon Yates celebrate a notable win against the likes of Wiggins, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp).

This time out, Wiggins – if he is on top form – will be among the riders looking to press home an advantage, as will Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff-Saxo) and, if Movistar stick to a provisional line-up  yet to be confirmed, Tour of Poland runner-up and Spanish champion, Ion Izaguirre.

Few, despite his stunning form, would have expected victory for Yates last year, however, so it could also prove to be a stage for a young rider to showcase his talents once again.

An uphill finish on stage four, into Bristol, could also lay the foundations for a solo victory – the category two ascent of Bridge Valley Road being a prime spot for a breakaway.

Stage five, meanwhile, is another to finish with a rapid descent and with Haytor en route it is likely to be a select group which begins the final climb of Stoke Hill, Exeter.

Hilly stages are certainly a feature of this year’s route, with stage six from Bath to Hemel Hempstead being another such occasion.

If the sprinters can stick with the bunch, however, there will certainly be an opportunity in Hemel Hempstead, with Ben Swift (Team Sky) perhaps well-suited to the undulating finale.

Camberley to Brighton, the route for stage seven, features the final two category-one climbs of this year’s race, with whoever is holding the gold jersey by that time having to be alert when the race tackles Ditchling Beacon and Bear Road inside the final section of the course.

Stage eight, too, is far from a procession – Whitehall, London, hosting the short individual time trial, where Wiggins, in-form Steve Cummings (BMC Racing) and Alex Dowsett (Movistar) will be among the men to watch.

The same route is then tackled for the final stage, with Cavendish and Kittel likely to go head to head on the criterium-like course – though national crit champion Adam Blythe (NFTO) will be among those hoping for domestic success instead. The former BMC Racing man has already chalked up a victory on The Mall this summer by winning the RideLondon-Surrey Classic.