THE world's hottest name in cycling right now Mathieu van der Poel will take part in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain for the first time in September.

Heading to Wirral for stage five of the huge cycling tour, the 24-year-old Dutchman will lead his Corendon-Circus team at the race between 7 to 14 September.

As one of the standout names of the 2019 cycling season, Van der Poel has taken five victories on the road including the Amstel Gold Race in April as well as becoming World, European and Dutch cyclo-cross champion.

Van der Poel told the Globe: "I’m happy to go to the Worlds and to have the occasion to get to know the OVO Energy Tour of Britain in the weeks before.

"I’m really happy that the organiser gives our team the chance to participate for the first time and at the same time helps me preparing for the Worlds in the best possible way.

“Of course, we’ll study the roadbook in order to decide in which stages we will try to go for a stage win.”

Van der Poel is the son of double Tour de France stage winner and 1996 World Cyclo-Cross Champion Adri, while his Grandfather is eight-time Tour de France podium finisher and cycling great Raymond Poulidor.

OVO Energy Tour of Britain race director Mick Bennett said: “We are excited that Mathieu, his team and the Dutch federation have identified the OVO Energy Tour of Britain as a key part of his road calendar in 2019 and look forward to welcoming him to the race.

“Like many I was thrilled to see his performance in the Amstel Gold Race this Spring, and am delighted that British fans will now get to see this amazing talent in action first hand.

"The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is held in tremendous regard by the sport’s top teams and riders and we look forward to more exciting announcements before September.”

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain will head to Wirral as it hosts both the start and finish of Stage Five of the race on Wednesday, September 11.

Stage five will start and finish at Birkenhead Park and the route will also pass through the finish line within the park before competing a lap of Birkenhead and Wallasey.

The 108 mile stage will leave Wirral passing through Port Sunlight before racing through Cheshire West and Chester - including passing the Airbus UK manufacturing facility at Broughton.

Then, the route will return, racing through Heswall, Caldy and Hoylake before passing through the Birkenhead Park finish line and taking in a loop through Seacombe, Wallasey and New Brighton.