Tour of Britain cycle race to return to Surrey in 2013

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke won the Tour of Britain to become the first home victor in 19 years

The Tour of Britain cycle race will return to Surrey next year after big crowds turned out on Sunday to watch the first British winner in 19 years.

Surrey County Council has signed up with Weybridge-based tour group SweetSpot to host a stage for the second year in a row next September.

The prestigious race was won by Jonathan Tiernan-Locke during the eighth and final stage through Surrey.

The riders raced 90 miles from Reigate through Surrey Hills to Guildford.

Helyn Clack from the council said: "We brought the tour here because it will boost the economy by as much as £2.5m and build on the cycling fever sweeping the country following the Olympic success in Surrey."