CYCLING fans began to gather in Skipton's Otley Road from as early as 6.30am, eager to grab a space along the route.

By 9.30am there were several hundred gathered in the Town Hall car park, the site of the town's main spectator hub.

Early visitors were entertained from the stage and from a giant screen which relayed news of the tour as the riders assembled in Leeds.

There was a sense of excitement as the time came to announce the start followed by cheers and clapping as the race started.

The cavalcade which proceeded the peloton began to arrive a little before 11am and continued throughout the morning.

The riders, led by a breakaway of three, appearing just before 1pm to cheers, claps, flashing cameras and people capturing the race on ipads.

In Otley Road the peloton came through in a flash, the riders tightly packed.

Spectators soon after moved on to enjoy the rest of the festivities at the Skipton hub.