THE world’s biggest cycling event pedals into St Malo on Monday when the third day of the Tour de France starts from the port so well known to Islanders.

The 208-kilometre stage featuring the very best professional cyclists starts just after 10 am and it will be the seventh time that St Malo has been a stage town. The first time was in 1949 and the most recent was 1980.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to take up every available vantage point to see the riders in action. Britain’s David Millar heads the US Garmin Chipotle team, while other top riders on show will include Germany’s Erik Zabel, Belgium’s Cadel Evans, Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, Germany’s Thomas Voeckler and Thor Hushovd of the popular French team Crédit Agricole.

A group of cyclists from Jersey’s Caesarean Cycling Club will be following the tour on a specially arranged trip that will allow them to cycle on Sunday part of on the course that is the Auray to St Brieuc stage. They will also be able to ride part of Monday’s course and gain access to a variety of VIP areas at the end in Nantes. There will be further opportunities for them to see Le Tour celebrities on Tuesday during the time trial in Choulet.