SUPPORT for the Devon stage of the Tour was 'huge' according to the county council who hosted the event, writes Nigel Canham.

It was the eighth consecutive year that Britain's biggest cycling race took to our roads with fans making the most of vantage points along the 110-mile route from Exmouth to Exeter.

Among the 114 riders at the start were Sir Bradley Wiggins, of Sky Pro Cycling; Mark Cavendish, of Omega Pharma Quick-Step and Marcel Kittel, of Team Giant Shimano. Polish rider Michal Kwiatkowski, of Omega Pharma Quick-Step, began the day in the Friends Life Yellow Jersey and his team led the chase as four riders formed a breakaway group.