Sir Bradley Wiggins will ride through Wiltshire as he defends his Tour of Britain title, it was confirmed today.

Team Sky named Wiggins, 34, as leader of its squad for the race, which begins in Liverpool on Sunday.

Wiggins will ride with fellow Brits Ian Stannard and Ben Swift alongside Bernhard Eisel, David Lopez and Sebastian Henao.

On Friday, September 12, the riders head from Bath at 10am for Hemel Hempstead, where they are due to finish at 3pm.

Roads along the route through Wiltshire will start to shut from 10.20am, as the riders approach Bradford on Avon, rolling closures being used ahead of the peloton.

The riders are due to race through Bradford at about 10.50am and through Trowbridge just before 11am.

They then head for Seend, being due to arrive in Devizes at about 11.20am, where there are sprint points to be won near the Black Horse pub.

Once they have left the A361, racing down the A342 Nursteed Road, they head for Pewsey High Street, where they are due to arrive at about 11.50am, then going to Hungerford along the A338 after leaving Easton Royal and Burbage   

Wiggins will be joined by fellow Britons Ian Stannard and Ben Swift, with Bernhard Eisel, David Lopez and Sebastian Henao completing Sky's six-man line-up for the eight-stage event.

"The Tour of Britain is a special race for me so to be returning as defending champion is a real honour," said Wiggins.

"It's always been a tough race but the support we receive from the fans is incredible, and it's our home tour so I've always enjoyed racing it."

Earlier this summer it had been unclear if Wiggins would take part as he eyed the Vuelta a Espana as a warm-up for the World Championship time-trial, but once Chris Froome confirmed he would race in Spain on his return from injury, Wiggins had to change plans.

"From the start of the year it's always been a goal of mine to race the Tour of Britain," said Wiggins.

"The race is growing in stature year on year and it's our chance to go there with a strong team and race in front of home fans to thank them for their support over the season."

Wiggins will be the favourite to take the crown again, although he could face strong competition from Tinkoff-Saxo's Irishman Nicolas Roche - a rider who has been strongly linked with a move to Team Sky in time for next season.

Wiggins will be able to call on plenty of experience from his support team thanks to the inclusion of veterans Eisel and Lopez, while Stannard - who helped Froome to Tour de France glory last year - is back in action after a bad crash in the spring classics.

The race ends in London on Sunday, September 14.