The Eden Project has hailed the hosting of the first stage of next year’s Tour of Britain cycle race as a fantastic sporting coup for Cornwall and a great boost for the economy.

It was announced yesterday that the provisional route, subject to final approval, will start in Penzance and finish at Bodmin, taking in St Just, St Ives, Hayle, Camborne, Pool, Redruth, Falmouth, Penryn, Truro, St Austell and the Eden Project.

Eden chief executive Gordon Seabright said: “Hats off to Cornwall Council for landing this great sporting event, a fabulous showcase for the wonders of where we live.

“Special congratulations to Dave Potter, the chairman of the Cornwall working group, in leading the way.”

Gordon, previously chief executive of the national cycling charity CTC, said that as well as promising a supreme sporting moment featuring elite racing cyclists, the event would spur more people to get out on two wheels and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.

He said: “At Eden we love to encourage greener ways to travel and we promote the pleasures of cycling with our own event the Eden Classic.”

The Eden Classic sportive is currently Cornwall’s biggest cycling event. Established in 2015, the British Cycling-registered ride attracts around 1,000 men and women. The fifth Eden Classic takes place on Sunday, May 12.