Tour of Britain: Huge crowds come to Darlington and Yarm

Spectators gathered at the start and finish lines in Darlington and Redcar and lined the route to cheer on some of the world's best cyclists as they sped past.

One hundred and seven cyclists lined up in Darlington Market Square for the 94-mile stage to Redcar. Council leader Steve Harker waved the flag to mark the start of the race at 11am.

Cyclists begin to ride through Darlington. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Passing through towns such as Stokesley and Whitby, Yarm was one of the first places to see riders pass through the main street.

Crowds gather at the start line in Darlington. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Schoolchildren, grandparents and dog walkers gathered on the cobbles of Yarm's main street, keeping their eyes on Yarm Bride as they waited for the leader to appear over the horizon.

Among them were Jim and Val from Middleton St George, who had come to watch the cycling after a light breakfast in Yarm.

Jim and Val from Middleton St George. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Meanwhile, Susan Cole, who came down from Eaglescliffe, told the Echo: “It was lovely to see so many people in Yarm.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“It was a great event and I really enjoyed it. We saw all the commercials and just couldn't pass it up. It was nice to see such a community spirit – everyone was chatting.”

“They get through pretty quickly – the police were really well organised and so well coordinated. It's like they've done this before!”

The race to Saltburn Bank. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Paul Magnier, 20, wore the leader's jersey on the second stage on Wednesday, leading the field after triumphing on the first day in Scotland.

The race wound its way through the region and competitors had to tackle difficult terrain, including the famous 300-metre climb up Saltburn Bank, before finishing in Redcar, where huge crowds waited anxiously to see who would win the stage.

The race reaches Saltburn. (Image: PA)

It was Welshman Stephen Williams who overtook former two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe and crossed the finish line first.

Williams of Team Israel-Premier Tech produced an impressive sprint to overtake Alaphilippe in the closing stages and raised his hands in the air at the finish to the cheers of the spectators.

The participants fight for the climb up the Saltburn Bank, (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The British duo Oscar Onley (Team DSM-Firmenich) and Joseph Blackmore (Israel-Premier Tech) took third and fourth places.

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With his victory, 28-year-old Williams takes the lead in the overall standings – six seconds ahead of Onley – with Alaphilippe in third place, 16 seconds behind. The winner of the first stage, Paul Magnier, dropped to ninth place.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)