MARK Cavendish and other top cyclists are set to compete on the streets of Abergavenny after it won its bid to land the UK's most prestigious cycling road race.

The British National Road Race Championships will see the Manxman defend his title in Monmouthshire next year.

The county will also see the Women's Road Race Championships and the British Men's Elite Time Trial Championships being run during the week of the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling.

The county has won a hard-fought bid to land the UK's most prestigious cycling road race which could also see the last two winners of the Tour de France, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, ride head-to-head around the county.

Bill Owen, the former president of Welsh Cycling and organiser of the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, who, along with Monmouthshire Council, masterminded the successful bid to bring the event to South Wales, said he was “delighted” at the news.

Owen said: “I am delighted that we are able to put together this incredible event and stage the National Championships in both the men's and women's road race plus the Time Trial disciplines.

“This is an amazing achievement for us all and it is down to the backing of Monmouthshire County Council and their vision for cycling in South East Wales that we were able to bid for this in the first place.

Monmouthshire Council's cabinet member with responsibility for economic development, Bob Greenland, said: “Monmouthshire council recognise the economic benefits that major events can bring to our county.

“The icing on the cake is that next year’s event directly precedes Tour de France 2014 which will start in Yorkshire. That means we can expect big name competitors at the championships as they train for Le Tour. The contribution that Monmouthshire is making to bringing elite sport to Wales is second to none.”