Tour de Yorkshire: Cyclists pass through Malton and Norton

The tightly-packed peloton, fresh from the beautiful surroundings of Wharram-le-Street and North Grimston, were swamped by flag-waving and cheering sightseers and bunting-laden streets.

Hurtling past at speeds only amateurs cyclists could dream about, the riders may even had time to cast an envious eye at any of the brightly-coloured bicycles which had pride of place along Norton’s main shopping street.

For Norton, it was their time to shine in front of millions of television viewers across the world in an area where its more celebrated neighbour, Malton, typically garners the most attention.

And townsfolk made the most of the attention by putting together two spectator hubs where the entertainment promises to continue well into the early evening.

Craig nattress, visitor economy officer with Ryedale district council, said: ‘the atmosphere is fantastic. Everyone has come out and the community has come together. It has been a long time coming but the town council and all the businesses have really joined together to make a wonderful day for Norton’

Following its visit, the peloton made its way towards Stage 1’s grand finish in York, taking in Stamford Bridge, Gate Helmsley and Murton along the way.