Neil Dalgleish, who created Tour o the Borders and sister event Wee Touro, is stepping back after 14 years to focus on other projects in his life.

He said: "I'm approaching retirement age and there's a few other bits and pieces I want to do in my career before I retire completely.

"I felt like now was a good time to hand it on to somebody else."

Touro was founded in 2012 and has since gone on to become one of the UK's premier road cycling events.

The main Tour o the Borders starts in Peebles and sees cyclists go out into Tweeddale West and down to Dumfries and Galloway.

They then head back into the Borders and travel back to Peebles. Wee Touro is held the previous day and is open to cyclists of all ages.

Mr Dalgleish praised the region’s cycling potential and the role of the event in promoting it.

He continued: "I think the south of Scotland is undeniably a fantastic place for cycling.

"It's famous for mountain biking, but it should also be famous for road cycling and hopefully Tour de France will help with that.

"It's been great to see Tour of the Borders provide a platform for showing off how good the south of Scotland and Scottish Borders are for road cycling."

He credited the community and landscape for the event’s continued success.

Mr Dalgleish said: "We have more than a hundred volunteers.

"It's a massive organisation to make that event happen.

"But the combination of a fantastic community, brilliant roads, beautiful scenery, and for a lot of people it's a real surprise."

Posting on social media, he thanked fellow organisers and participants.

He said: "A huge thanks to everyone who has helped, worked at or ridden this event over the years."

With next year marking his first opportunity to ride the route, Mr Dalgleish is enthusiastic about the change.

He said: "I can't wait to ride it. You know, every year I've been wishing it was me.

"I'm really looking forward to it and also just like everybody else who signs up for these things, it's a really great reason to make yourself get out there, get fit and look after yourself."

Tour O The Borders will continue next year and beyond, with organisation passing to Paul McGreal, from Durty Events.

Mr Dalgleish added: "The event is in excellent hands and much of the team currently producing it will continue in their roles.

"I’ll hopefully see lots of you on the start line next September, and this time I won’t be wearing hi-vis and clutching a radio to my face."