THE route has been revealed for the opening stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain cycling race which will kick-off in Glasgow this September. 

Stage One will see the world’s top riders tackle a 125-mile opening leg from George Square in the city centre to the town of Kirkcudbright in south west Dumfries & Galloway on Saturday, September 7. 

The opening stage will complete a loop of Glasgow city centre before heading south through East Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire before crossing into Dumfries & Galloway.

READ MORE: Glasgow to host opening stage of Tour of Britain cycling race

Riders will pass through Glasgow city centre's many sights before heading slightly east to take in Glasgow Green. 

Cyclists will then look to cross the Clyde into the South Side, travelling along Pollokshaws Road, past Queen's Park before veering onto Kilmarnock Road. 

Glasgow Times: This year's Stage One route for the OVO Energy Tour of BritainThis year's Stage One route for the OVO Energy Tour of Britain

From there, those taking part will head out of Glasgow and into East Renfrewshire, riding through Giffnock, west towards Rouken Glen Park, and then south east towards Newton Mearns via Stewarton Road. 

From there, the race will cross the M77, heading south in Ayrshire and continuing from there. 

Glasgow Times: Route profile for Stage One of this year's raceRoute profile for Stage One of this year's race

Councillor David McDonald, depute leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of Glasgow Life, said: “When the Tour of Britain Grand Depart was last hosted by Glasgow in 2016, thousands of people lined the city streets to see elite riders and teams in action as they set off on the first stage of the competition. I’m sure this year will be no different.

“Glasgow has a proud sporting history – and was recently announced as one of the top five sporting cities in the world. I can’t think of a better place to begin such an iconic race than the world-renowned George Square in the heart of our city.

READ MORE: Glaswegians 'proud' as city chosen to host top cycling event

“The Tour of Britain presents cycling fans with an unparalleled opportunity to see their favourite teams and riders take to the roads through their very own city, and I know the people of Glasgow are very excited to see this event in just a few months!”

The opening two stages of the tour will take place in Scotland for the first time in modern history, as the action switches to the Scottish Borders for Stage Two a day later. 

The Borders stage will see action start and finish in the centre of Kelso, with a 166-kilometre (103-mile) route taking in Coldstream, Duns and Melrose.

OVO Energy Tour of Britain race director, Mick Bennett, said, “Having the opening two stages in Glasgow and the south of Scotland will make for a great opening weekend for spectators to enjoy and we hope that many take this opportunity to plan a visit around both days.

Glasgow Times:

“George Square is a fitting location to start our national tour from, while we are looking forward to our first visit to the charming town of Kirkcudbright. 

"We know Kelso and the beautiful Scottish Borders very well and are excited that we can host a full stage within the region for the first time.”

The 2019 OVO Energy Tour of Britain finishes overall in Manchester city centre on Saturday, September 14. 

Read more of today's top Glasgow stories. 

ITV4 will once again screen live free-to-air coverage of each stage, along with a nightly highlights programme of the best of the action.