STAGE six of the Tour of Britain raced through Oxfordshire yesterday as hundreds of fans turned out to catch a glimpse of their cycling heroes.

 

 

The riders made their way through Wantage and Didcot on their way from Bath to Hemel Hempstead, skirting past West Hendred, Harwell, Blewbury, Cholsey and Crowmarsh Gifford.

Ormond Road in Wantage was packed with spectators, including dozens of schoolchildren from Wantage Church of England Primary School.

 

Oxford Mail:


Eventual winner Matthias Brandle leads Alex Dowsett, centre, and Tom Stewart along Ormond Road in Wantage. 

 

Husband and wife Chris and Charlotte Evett were among those who turned out to cheer the riders.

Mr Evett said: “We just came down to see it and see what is happening.

“We wanted to see Sir Bradley Wiggins because we are all Bradley Wiggins fans, aren’t we?

“It’s really good and hopefully it will bring a few more younger people to the town.”

Oxford Mail:

Chris and Charlotte Evett.

Terry Gashe, another spectator, said: “I thought it was really brilliant. I had a great time.

“It’s a really great event and it is great to see so many young people here.

“We came to see the Brits doing well and I was impressed with the amount of people who turned out.

“It’s great it has come through Wantage.”

The Tour, which finishes tomorrow with stage eight in London, is in its 11th year since being revived in 2004 following a five-year absence.

Oxford Mail:

Schoolchildren at Wantage.

Vale of White Horse district councillor for Wantage Charlton, Charlotte Dickson, said she hoped it would encourage more events to come to the area.

She said: “It was fantastic, there was a real feel-good factor. The amount of children who turned out was great and hopefully they will be inspired to get cycling.”

Cyclox chairman Simon Hunt said: “Oxfordshire is a great county for cycling in terms of scenery and variety of roads, there are lots of attractions about cycling here.

“I expect some young people especially might get on their bikes a bit more.”

The sixth stage was contested by 114 cyclists and was won by Austria’s Matthias Brandle, of IAM Cycling.

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