Cyclists for Tour of Britain cross finish line in Felixstowe

The sixth and final stage of the prestigious Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain, a UK-based cycle race which started in 1945, took place in Suffolk. 

It was the seventh time the event had come to Suffolk, but the first time the county has played host to the glamorous final stage.

The cyclist reached the finish line around 2:30pm. (Image: SWpix.com)

This is the first time the final stage of the tour has taken place in Suffolk. (Image: Dominic Bareham)

The cyclists started in Lowestoft at 11am and the first half of the route took them through Beccles, Framlingham and Saxmundham before ending in Aldeburgh.

The second half of the route took them through Woodbridge and Martlesham and after completing a gruelling 98.5-miles to the finish line in Felixstowe where crowds of people were waiting to greet them.

Matevz Govekarn, of Slovenia, won the final stage of the tour, while Welsh cyclist Stephen Williams secured the top spot overall. 

Cycling legend Mark Cavendish was in attendance to delight crowds fresh from his 35th stage victory in the Tour de France in July, a record.

Matevz Govekar was the first to cross the line. (Image: SWpix.com)

Govekar represents team Bahrain Victoriou. (Image: SWpix.com)The podium ceremony took place soon after the tour ended. (Image: SWpix.com)

The day was celebrated with all manner of festivities at the start in Lowestoft and the finish in Felixstowe.

In Lowestoft there were events such as workshops, live music and a BMX track for children to explore their passion for cycling. 

Felixstowe hosted several markets by the seafront and there was an outdoor cinema installed on Saturday evening bringing the silver screen to the seaside town. 

The town also played host to the Love Green Felixstowe Festival during the course of the weekend. 

This stage was over three hours long. (Image: Julie Kemp)

The crowd was waiting for cyclists are the finish line. (Image: Dominic Bareham)

Councillor David Rowe, mayor of Felixstowe, said he was delighted that the tour came to Felixstowe and pleased the final sprint of the stage took place next to the beach. 

"Events such as this put Felixstowe on the map bringing enormous economic benefit to the town as well as bringing great enjoyment to all those lining the routes," he added.

"A big thank you to the organisers for choosing Felixstowe and to East Suffolk Council for all the work in preparing for the event."

Meanwhile, councillor Seamus Bennett, East Suffolk’s assistant cabinet member and Felixstowe ward, said: “Many towns organised community activities for residents to get involved in, and there were also exciting programmes of activities which took place at the start in Lowestoft and finish in Felixstowe."