Crowds gather as Tour of Britain sweeps through Powys

In blazing sunshine, large crowds gathered around the clock tower at the corner of Heol Maengwyn as the world class field including Olympic medalist Mark Cavendish and reigning UCI road world champion Julian Alaphilippe sped down Heol y Doll and onto the mountains towards Corris.

The peloton passes through. All pics: Mike Sheridan/County Times.

Team Ineos rider Ethan Hayter had gone into Wednesday’s extremely tough mountain stage through Powys and north Wales with a narrow lead over the two race favourites, Wout Van Aert and Alaphilippe.

The leading pack of six riders headed into the town from Aberystwyth at around midday, followed around 8 minutes later by the chasing pack, before taking on the long climbs heading towards the stage finish in Llandudno.

The crowd watches on.

Keith Gunstone from Machynlleth had come out to see the peloton go through from his house nearby. "I'm a cycling fan, I watch it avidly on the television but I'm not a cyclist myself," he said.

"I love watching the Tour de France, the Giro(d'Italia) and so on so it's lovely to have this come through our town, absolutely superb. It's great for the town, it's fantastic. As you can see there's crowds building up, it's really nice to see."

Keith Gunstone.

Julian Cole had cycled a round trip of over 120 miles to be at the stage from Church Stretton in Shropshire: "I'm over to see the tour - I've not really been following so far but I've cycled down for the day to see what's going on, my wife's off doing something else so I've got a free ticket to come and see this one."

Meinir and Carina Davies.

Meinir and Carina Davies from Machynlleth had come down to support the peloton as they made their way past the war memorial on Heol y Doll, added: "We're not huge cycling fans or anything but we've come down to support the riders, we're just standing here in awe.

"Anything that brings people into the town the better, perhaps they could have chosen a different day but you can't change the market day I suppose."

Simon Kirk.

Simon Kirk from Shrewsbury had come over this morning to enjoy the area and the tour atmosphere. "I've come over this morning, had a little ride in the local area and then into town to see the tour go through," he said.

"I've been following the tour - it's been really exciting and it should be a good stage today, it's at a pivotal stage."

Brian and Marie Carrington.

Brian and Marie Carrington from Holywell had come into town while on a short break in Powys. "We've been following the tour as we're in Pennal on a break and it's just fell lucky that we're able to be here today.

"They've had great weather for it but it's supposed to change tomorrow, as long as there's no accidents and we see a good race that's all that's important."