The route that top class cycling race the Tour of Britain will take when it starts in Cornwall next year has been revealed.

At a community launch event in Bodmin this afternoon details of the race, which takes place in September 2020, were announced.

The "grand depart" of the cycling race will be held in Penzance on September 5, 2020.

Cyclists will then follow a 175-kilometre route through Cornwall which takes in St Ives, Hayle, Redruth, Stithians, Falmouth, Penryn, Truro, Newquay, St Austell and the Eden Project before finishing in Bodmin.

A total of 120 riders will take part in the race and it is hoped that 180,000 people will line the route in Cornwall to see the world-class cyclists as they whizz by.

Estimates suggest that the event could bring in an extra £3 million to the Cornish economy and, with the race being broadcast live and highlights being shown on ITV4 and Eurosport, will also attract a global audience.

Emily Kent, Cornwall Council head of economy, skills, and culture, economic growth and development, said: "We are delighted to announce the confirmation of the Cornwall Tour of Britain Stage route which will showcase Cornwall not just for cycling fans, but for wider communities across the county as well.

"Hosting the Grand Depart Stage of the Tour of Britain will bring visitors into Cornwall, not only along the stage route, but across the rest of the county and it will also help to enhance our profile both at home and abroad.

"We will also work to ensure we create a long-lasting legacy from the event by raising the profile of cycling in Cornwall and motivating more people to cycle and lead healthier, more active lives."

Peter Hodges, Tour of Britain communications director, said: "Tour of Britain is a world-class sporting event but it is about much more than that, it is about engaging people in activities."

He said it was an "amazing opportunity" for Cornwall and also for cycling and said it was a chance to show off the county.

Tour of Britain route director Andy Hawes outlined the route and highlighted the first part which will take cyclists from Penzance to St Just and St Ives.

"I had never driven along that road before until a couple of weeks ago and it is stunning," he said. "Absolutely nothing says Cornwall better than that road to St Ives.

"If it is a bright sunny day it will be amazing and even if it is dark, wet and windy it will still be dramatic."

He explained that when the race hits Falmouth it will be going the wrong way around the one-way system in the town and in Truro it will pass through Lemon Quay, which will be barriered off.

Explaining the route through to Newquay he said it had been hoped to take the cyclists to Watergate Bay but that had not been possible, however helicopter footage of the race would ensure that the coastline would be seen by the TV audience.

Mr Hawes said the tour had worked closely with the Eden Project to include the iconic biomes and the race would go along the top road at the attraction before then ending in Bodmin where he said it would not be a flat finish as many would expect.

He explained that the route was on its eighth version and now in its final guise ready for September 2020.

Organisers said it had not been possible for the route to visit everywhere in Cornwall but hinted that they would like to hold the event in Cornwall again in the future so could visit different places if it returns.

A logo for the Cornwall stage of the event has been released – designed by Falmouth University student Draig Conybear – and an official website has also been launched www.cornwalltourofbritain.co.uk

The website contains details of the event and will also have more details of the route so that "people can see if it goes past their house or through their village"