THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Crewe yesterday to watch Stage Three of the Tour of Britain whizz by.

The race, which passed through Crewe Road and Nantwich Road in Crewe before heading to Willaston following a route through Crewe Road, Millstone Lane, Barony Road and Main Road.

Spectators, both residents and visitors to the town, cheered on Stage Three champion Ian Stannard and cycling icon Bradley Wiggins along with the other cyclists as the peleton stormed through the streets before.

The route saw competitors start in Congleton, travelling through several towns in the Cheshire East borough, including Alsager, Sandbach, Macclesfield and Alderley Edge, before crossing the finish line in Tatton Park in Knutsford.

Winner of Stage Three, British cyclist Ian Stannard, was presented with his award by Cheshire East Council leader Rachel Bailey and the borough’s mayor, Olivia Hunter, at a ceremony in Tatton Park.

Speaking to the Guardian, Cllr Bailey said: “I am feeling euphoric about today. I have seen the look on all of those faces of those people that either live in the borough or have visited because of the Tour of Briatin.

“It has been such a successful leg of the race and the response of the community, of the council and of the riders has been amazing.”

Cllr Bailey said that she thinks the residents of Crewe, and the rest of east Cheshire, will benefit from the long term effects of the occasion.

“We will now start working with the legacy of the Tour of Britain, and what that means in terms of benefit to the economy, to the wellbeing of our residents, and the benefit in community engagement,” she added.

“Our health partners are equally as positive about what it means going forward, whether that be physical, or mental wellbeing.”