THE RAIN didn’t stop the people of Warwickshire from cheering on some of the world’s best cyclists.
The second stage of the Aviva Women’s Tour covered 140km from Atherston to Stratford and people turned out in force to cheer the riders on.
Spectators – including teachers and schoolchildren from across the district – lined the streets on Thursday (June 16) and even set up camp at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park to show their support for the tour.
Kenilworth played host to the first sprint time trial of the tour while Warwick Market Square was filled with stalls and entertainment for people braving the rain to watch the women race by.
A climb to the highest points in Warwickshire, through Burton Dassett and Edge Hill, followed by another sprint in Tysoe tested the pro-riders.
Amy Pieters from Holland was first across the finish line on Bridge Street in Stratford in a photo finish with reigning tour champion Germany’s Lisa Brennauer.
Marianne Vos was presented with the Yellow Jersey at the end of the rainy second stage while Lizzie Armitstead finished 18th to remain the highest placed British rider.
She went on to win the five stage race overall – becoming the first British rider in history to do so.
