RIDERS sped through Blackpool yesterday (Wednesday) in the biggest cycle race Britain has seen for the last five years.

Riders took part in a sprint along the promenade at South Shore as part of the first stage of the Tour of Britain took in a 128 mile route around the north west from Manchester.

Triple-Olympic medallist, Bradley Wiggins, was the most famous name in the field but Stefano Zannini of Italy took the first stage, with Roger Hammond the best placed British rider in sixth.

The tour, formerly the Milk Race, is taking has been revived after five years and features on BBC television this weekend.