SIR Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome – British cycling has never known success like it.

With Wiggins and Froome both having won the Tour de France in recent years, Cavendish dominating the sprints and Thomas continuing his rise to stardom, the country has been swept along on a wave of cycling optimism.

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And this September gives East Lancashire cycling fans the chance to watch some of Britain’s, and the world’s best, do battle in the Tour of Britain.

Stage two of the increasingly popular race takes the riders from the shadow of Clitheroe Castle to Colne on Monday, September 7, and, while it is unlikely that those riders doing battle for Tour de France glory, Froome included, will be on the startline in Clitheroe high street, a host of top names will be among the stellar field.

The 20 teams will be announced next month while the 120 riders won’t be confirmed until much nearer the time but here the Lancashire Telegraph picks out five potential stars to watch when the race hits the Ribble Valley.

SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS (Team Wiggins)

Now riding for his own squad the 2012 Tour de France rider and multi Olympic gold medallist could be set for a swansong in East Lancashire.

His attention has switched from the road to the track as he continues his bid to represent Team GB at the Rio Olympics next year but, living in Eccleston, and with stage two route featuring many of his training rides, Wiggins, a team-mate of Colne’s Steven Burke, could be tempted to take to the start line.

MARK CAVENDISH (Etixx-Quick Step)

The Manx missile has 25 Tour de France stage wins to his name and is the most decorated sprinter in the sport’s history.

He rode the Tour of Britain last year for Omega Pharma-Quick Step and although he didn’t claim any stage victories he regularly placed well.

Having crashed out of the Tour de France the last time he rode a stage race on these shores in Harrogate last summer, Cavendish will be eager for success in front of his home crowd.

MARCEL KITTEL (Giant-Alpecin)

The German powerhouse is Cavendish’s main sprint rival and the battle between the two of them could be a Tour of Britain highlight.

Kittel was in the field 12 months ago and bookended his trip with victories in the first and last stages.

He has suffered with injury and illness this season but, with the World Championships a possible target in late September, he could well use the Tour of Britain to fine tune his form.

MICHAL KWITAKOWSKI (Etixx-Quick Step)

The reigning World Champion is fast becoming one of the star all-rounders of the sport.

He finished second in the 2014 Tour of Britain having spent two days in the yellow jersey and would be keen to go one better this time around.

The route of the Clitheroe-Colne stage could favour him with a mix of climbs and undulating roads and the sight of the rainbow jersey racing to victory in Church Street would be special.

DYLAN VAN BAARLE (Cannondale-Garmin)

The defending champion will be eyeing a slice of history if he returns to the UK for this year’s race.

No rider has defended the Tour of Britain title since it was re-introduced in 2004, but van Baarle will be hoping to break that duck.

He was something of a surprise winner 12 months ago but with a strong team, and a consistent early part of the season behind him already, there is no reason why he can’t figure highly on the general classification once again.