THOUSANDS of people cheered and roared cycling’s star names through our region today as the Tour of Britain rode its’ way from Gloucester to Bath.

The field passed through Dursley, Uley, Wotton-under-Edge, Wickwar and past Chipping Sodbury on Stage Five of the event, which saw New Zealander Jack Bauer taking the stage victory.

Fans stood on Whiteways to watch the riders climb that slope but, generally, after the longest journey of the Tour on Wednesday through Wales, this next leg was expected to suit sprinters better.

However, it did not suit Tour de France legend and Great Britain’s Rio Olympic Games medallist Mark Cavendish who could not mount a challenge in the sprint to the line and finished down in the peloton.

And Rio Olympics track Time Trial gold medallist Owain Doull, from Wales, was unable to get close to the podium, finishing well down with another member of that gold medal-winning quartet and Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins.

The public around the region certainly got behind the race.

Ron Hunt, membership secretary of Dursley Road Club, said: “It was certainly very impressive. We saw them the last time they came two years ago and it is great that you have the opportunity to see people you normally see on the TV close up.

“Cycling is the only sport left where fans can get so close to the action. You are right up close and dirty with them and it showed that they go up Whiteways far quicker than I do.

“It is an inspiration to youngsters who want to get into cycling.”

James King, from Dursley, watched the riders go through the town and said: “I got here about an hour before they were due to arrive and the crowds were starting to swell by then.

“It was over in a flash but it was great to be able to see them race past us. I could not believe how fast they were going.

“I just about managed to catch a glimpse of Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins as they went through which was awesome.”

The yellow jersey for the overall leader of the Tour of Britain remains with Belgium’s Julien Vermonte as the riders now travel to Devon for Friday’s Stage Six before returning to Bristol for a Time Trial around the city centre on Saturday.

The Tour ends in London on Sunday.