THE Tour of Britain, which pedalled its way through Teignbridge in September, has won a Sporting Event of the Year award.

The UK’s biggest professional cycle race was recognised at the glittering annual awards dinner of the National Outdoor Events Association.

Thousands of people lined 93 miles of Devon’s roads when the race came through.

Starting in Sidmouth, the cyclists, including Sir Bradley Wiggins, rode through Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Willand, Tiverton, Crediton, Moretonhampstead, Chudleigh and Bovey Tracey before finishing at Haytor with a cheering crowd.

The Tour of Britain was presented with its award by NOEA President Richard Limb.

The judges praised the tour as ‘an iconic sporting event in the UK and a big part of the UK summer season’.

The race finished in central London on September 11 and was won by Team Dimension Data’s Steve Cummings.

Across the eight stages in England, Scotland and Wales more than 1.6 million spectators lined the roadside, and many more millions watched the live coverage on TV.

The 2016 race has also been shortlisted for Sporting Event of the Year at the Scottish Sports Award and was a runner-up at the Global Sport Tourism Awards earlier this month.

The 2017 Tour of Britain will take place from September 3 to 10. Details of the venues and route will be announced in the early months of next year.