Sport Features

The prestigious Tour of Britain cycle race arrived in Devon on Tuesday 11 September, with riders competing in the second stage of the seven day event.

The route from Yeovilton to Taunton took the 96 riders on a gruelling 105 mile race across Exmoor.

The yellow jersey going into the second stage was worn by Britain's Mark Cavendish.

But he failed to hang on to the overall leadership, as the Devon and Somerset stage winner, Russia's Nikolai Trusov, took that position.

There were huge cheers for the riders as they sped through the North Devon coastal town of Lynmouth.

The race's swift visit to Devon was a big success, according to Rachel Hayes from Active Exmoor, which provides information on activities on Exmoor.

"It's been a fantastic day," she said. "And we had a fantastic turn-out in Lynmouth.

"The riders were split into two groups by the time they reached us in Lynmouth and it was very exciting to watch.

"Everything went perfectly smoothly - we couldn't have wished for a better event, especially with the weather."

"We're looking forward to seven days of close racing, and the teams selected will provide that.

"We are also delighted to have five British teams amongst the world class field this year and three teams from this summer's Tour de France."

The Tour of Britain ranks alongside major races such as the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia and features the very best national and international teams.

The race was re-established in 2004, but 2007 is the first time it has included a stage in the South West of England.

Starting at Yeovilton's Fleet Air Arm Museum, the second stage of the race crossed the Quantock Hills and passed over Exmoor before reaching Taunton.

This year the race covers over 950 kilometres (590 miles), with stages in the South of England, Somerset, the West Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire before finishing in Glasgow on Saturday 15 September.

It's hoped the race will return to North  Devon again next year.

E-mail your Tour of Britain photos to: devon.online@bbc.co.uk