Guild also represented Britain at the Games in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 and he has continued his strong presence within Paralympic sport since.

He is a vice chairman of WheelPower, the national organisation for wheelchair sport in Britain and who are hosting the event, which is expected to attract around 2,000 cyclists.

Guild regularly travels across the country to spread the Paralympic message and he also competed in basketball, javelin, table tennis, weightlifting and swimming.

The race, which takes place on Sunday (June 7), starts and finishes at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium, regarded as the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.

“I am well and truly honoured to be asked by WheelPower to start the bike ride,” Guild said.

“The Tour de Vale has become a major event in the community and it is a great privilege to be a part of it.”

The Tour de Vale features three routes encompassing different distances of 100 kilometres for advanced riders, a “challenge” 60km and 25km for families.

“As an athlete Ernie held a catalogue of British, European and World records, by starting the ride Ernie should provide great inspiration to the cyclists who are about to embark on their 25, 60k or 100k challenge,” WheelPower’s Jo Hall added.

“We are grateful to our vice-chairman for his support to the charity by attending the Tour de Vale where we hope to raise over £50,000 to fund supporting opportunities for disabled people.”

Advanced entries for the Tour de Vale are closed but cyclists can still enter by turning up on the day, and entries cost £30 ($45/€41).