Big Crowds greet Tour in Castle Douglas
Written by author on September 5, 2016
Cycling stars – including eight medallists from the Rio Olympics – have raced from Glasgow to Castle Douglas as the Tour of Britain got under way.
The opening stage of the week-long event is the only one in Scotland. Riders left Glasgow and headed south.
The route took in Kilmarnock, Auchinleck, Cumnock and Dalmellington.
Mark Cavendish, a favourite to win, crashed on the final corner with Andre Greipel winning the opening stage for Lotto Soudal. Cavendish rode away from the crash, which also involved Team Sky’s Elia Viviani.
Vicky Strange, head of development at Cycling Scotland, said: “To have such a big event now coming to Scotland for its first stage is just fantastic.
“The Tour of Britain is one of the biggest events on the calendar – it has really gained in profile.
“So to have the big names coming to Scotland and having these people – household names – right there on your doorstep and we can all get the chance to go and see them up close, I think is hugely inspirational for us.”
