As a winner of stages of the Tour De France and other big cycling races across Europe, Dan Martin knows about the doing the hard yards on a bike.

And as the husband of Isle of Wight-raised Olympic athlete Jess Andrews, he is well acquainted with the roads of the Island.

So it comes as no surprise that he told the Isle of Wight County Press the competitors in next month's final leg of the 2022 Tour of Britain that they may be in for a shock.

Martin, 35, is now retired but visited the Island with his family this week to help launch the Tour of Britain visit to the Isle of Wight.

Isle of Wight County Press: Dan Martin tackles the climb up Tennyson Down.Dan Martin tackles the climb up Tennyson Down.

He said: "I know the Island roads well as used to train here when coming to Jess's home and people may think it is flat but they would be wrong.

"There are lots of ups and downs and there are some tough technically challenging small climbs."

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Riders from some of the world's top cycling teams such as BORA – hansgrohe (Germany), INEOS Grenadiers (Great Britain), Israel – Premier Tech (Israel), Movistar Team (Spain) and Team DSM (Netherlands), as well as the GB National Team, will be among the 100-strong field for the Island leg on Sunday, September 11.

They will tackle a 148.9km (92.6m) stage that begins on Ryde Esplanade (11am) and culminates at The Needles (approximately 2:25pm).

The route will pass through Bembridge, Sandown, Freshwater, Yarmouth, Cowes, Newport, Shanklin, Ventnor and Freshwater Bay.

Large crowds are expected to turn out to watch this free-to-attend sporting spectacle.

Isle of Wight County Press: Tour of Britain sponsors with top cyclist Dan Martin at Thursday's photocall in Ryde.Tour of Britain sponsors with top cyclist Dan Martin at Thursday's photocall in Ryde.

Peter Hodges, representative of the Tour, told the CP that this was the first time the final stage of the modern Tour has culminated in a hill-top finish.

He said it should make for an exciting climax to a day of racing and pointed to the start point at Ryde, the Cowes seafront sprint, Ventnor climb and Military Road as other key vantage points for spectators.

He said: "Although we have not named riders yet we are anticipating some big names among the line up."

Jeremy Cooper of the Island's own Wightlink Race Team, said road cyclists were very much looking forward to seeing the cream of the sport's talent on the Island.

Isle of Wight Council, Visit Isle of Wight, GKN, Wightlink, Red Funnel, South Western Railway and the National Trust have been unveiled as the stage's partners along with charity partner Mountbatten.