Sussex shines as the Tour of Britain visits the county

More than 300,000 people took to the side of the road as the world’s best cyclists battled it across the South Downs.

It was Belgian Julien Vermote who took the stage win in Brighton after attacking on Ditchling Beacon.

However, Dutchman Dylan van Baarle moved into the yellow jersey with just two stages remaining in London on Sunday.

Sussex looked a picture in the September sun with the stage being broadcast around the world.

The riders started off at 10am in Camberley before heading into Sussex near Fernhurst.

After thrilling the crowds in Petworth, they headed east into Horsham, Haywards Heath and Uckfield.

It was then down through Hailsham to Eastbourne before the peloton tackled Beachy Head to take them into the Seven Sisters Country Park. After racing through Seaford and Newhaven, they were met by huge crowds in Lewes before tackling the brutal Ditchling Beacon.

Down into Brighton, the professionals then powered up the devilishly steep Bear Road before making for the finish line on the seafront.

Sir Bradley Wiggins, who finished 14th on the day, goes into today's final stages in seventh overall.

Fellow Brit Mark Cavendish came 42nd on the day in an attempt to save his legs for what looks to be a sprint finish in the final stage.

Tens of thousands lined the streets in Brighton. One of them was Quinty Bartlett, from Bear Road, who had proudly painted “Go Cav” on the side of his van.

The 43-year-old said: “I am a keen cyclist myself I think it is fantastic. Cycling has not been a ridiculously popular sport for years but now you have kiddies, families, grandparents all cheering on together.

“For the local area it is just great – there is such a family atmosphere.”

Melanie Neilson, from Fiveways, Brighton, 67, added: “It is so good and good to see there are a lot of cyclists generally about.

“Brighton is the perfect place for it, we have the hills, Ditching Beacon before they come in and then Bear Road and the perfect finish line on the seafront”

And it was not just the spectators who enjoyed the stage. The professionals also spoke of their enjoyment of racing through Sussex in front of thousands.

Speaking at the finish to Teamsky.com, Sir Bradley Wiggins said: "The crowd are really encouraging. We do so many races in Europe where you hardly see anyone on the road. From this morning all the way through the stage there were just lines of people. It’s great and it’s certainly changed over the last few years."

German sprint king Marcel Kittel also took the time to comment on the fantastic weather.

He Tweeted: “Never expected to have a sunburn on my lips at this time of the year in the UK. Hope the sun stays with us till London! #sayNoToRain.”

For a full report and picture special don’t miss Monday’s Argus.