Unlike the circuit used for the other time trials, the men’s elite race will take the riders 53km from the Kings Dominion amusement park to the finale just after Governor Street.

However, the course still features only 245m of elevation and is largely played out on long, straight, open roads with the most technical sections featuring at the end of the route.

In the absence of Britain’s defending champion Sir Bradley Wiggins – national champion Alex Dowsett and Steve Cummings ride for Great Britain instead – there will be a new rider in the rainbow skinsuit next year.

Three-time former winner Tony Martin (Germany) will be among the favourites on a course well-suited to his power having proved he is over his Tour de France injury with overall victory at the Tour du Poitou Charentes.

Adriano Malori (Italy) and Jonathan Castroviejo (Spain) beat Martin in the 23.2km time trial there, however, and as national champions of their respective countries the two Movistar men will be strong contenders in Richmond.

Last year’s bronze medallist Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands), meanwhile, rides on the back of his blistering time trial at the Vuelta a Espana, which had given him a shot at the red jersey.

The Dutchman’s efforts in protecting his lead – which ultimately proved in vain as he tumbled down the GC on the penultimate day – may have taken their toll, however, and he will need to recover quickly.

Elsewhere, Rohan Dennis (Australia) reminded everyone of his time-trialling ability with victory in the Tour de France prologue – one of two time trial victories he’s earned this season.

Team Sky man Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus) has also been in good form against the clock this year, winning on the undulating 59.4km Giro d’Italia course, taking the European Games title in the summer and then placing fourth at the Vuelta.

Other men to watch include former UCI hour record holder Matthias Brandle (Austria), who has a point to prove after admitting he under-performed last year.

Fans of British UCI Continental team One Pro Cycling will no doubt be interested to see how Polish champion Marcin Bialoblocki goes after he beat Kiryienka on the 25km Krakow circuit which closed the Tour of Poland.