SOME of the best cyclists in the world are gearing up for the fourth stage of the Tour of Britain in Gwynedd and Conwy today.

Belgian Wout Van Aert won the opening day of the British Cycling flagship event, in a 180km uphill sprint in Bodmin, Cornwall on Sunday, while American Robin Carpenter took the second stage in Exeter.

But it is 22-year-old Team Ineos rider Ethan Hayter who leads the way following the third day's team trial stage in Llandeilo, south Wales.

The fourth stage of the eight-day event, which is being broadcast on ITV4, takes place on a 215km route between Ceredigion and Conwy on Wednesday, September 8.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the event.

What is the route?

The Mid and North Wales route starts in Ceredigion, passing through Aberystwyth and Barmouth before moving along the B547, entering Llanwrst, Trefriw, Dolgarrog, Tal-y-bont and Baclaw before making its way up to Conwy.

The cyclists will come off Llanwrst Road and join Conway Road, which runs past Conwy Castle, and over the River Conwy and A55 expressway, before moving through Llandudno Junction via Conway Road before joining the A546 New Road.

Competitors will then tackle the residential areas of Llandudno Junction and Deganwy, near Warren Drive and Ty Mawr Road, before rejoining the A546 on to Bryniau Road in Llandudno.

The Llandudno leg will take in Great Orme Road onto West Shore, Marine Drive, along the northern and eastern tips of Llandudno, Happy Valley Road, Tudno Street, Old Road, Abbey Road, Ty-Gwyn Road, and Bishop’s Quarry Road before finishing at the summit of the Great Orme.

A GPS map route of the race is available here.

What time is the stage four race?

Stage four begins in Aberaeron at 10.45am and ends at the Great Orme at 4pm.

Audiences wishing to catch the event are advised to give plenty of time upon arriving at their spectator location to ensure they see all the riders in action.

Who is racing?

Olympic silver medallist and recent Tour of Norway winner Ethan Hayter and former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski will be amongst the peloton, alongside prolific individual and former Team GB rider Mark Cavendish and Welsh rider and Rio gold medallist Owain Doull.

Australians Rohan Dennis and Richie Porte, and Spanish rider Carlos Rodriguez are also expected to be amongst the leading pack.

Do I need a ticket?

Spectating is free-of-charge - but audiences must adhere to spectator guidelines at their chosen destination.

The finishing line at the Great Orme is likely to be the busiest location, with people being urged to arrive early to secure their place.

The Tour of Britain's spectator guide and travel information are available here.

Can I watch the race on TV?

Every stage of the Tour of Britain is being broadcast on ITV4, and coverage will be available on ITV Hub during the races.

An hour-long highlights programme of each day's racing will be broadcast on ITV4 at 8pm-9pm.

Where else is the Tour of Britain being hosted?

The total racing distance is a whopping 1,300km in eight days. This includes:

  • Stage two: 184km stint in Devon from 10.45am-4pm on Monday, September 6.
  • Stage three: Team time trial in Carmarthenshire from 12.45pm to 3.15pm on Tuesday, September 7.
  • Stage five: 18.2km sprint in Llandeilos from 11.15m to 4pm on Thursday, September 9.
  • Stage six: 152km in Cumbria from 10.30am to 4pm on Friday, September 10.
  • Stage seven: Edinburgh from 10.30am to 4pm on Saturday, September 11.
  • Stage eight: Aberdeen from 10.15am to 4pm on Sunday, September 12

What else is there to know?

The series, previously won by Dutch Olympian Mathieu van der Poel and reigning UCI World Road champion Julian Alaphilippe, was relaunched in 2004 after a five-year absence from the cycling calendar.

The Tour of Britain is also part of the UCI ProSeries, making it a prestigious sporting events in the sport’s global calendar.