ON Grinton Moor, police estimated that more than 25,000 spectators gathered for a spectacular view as the peloton sped through Reeth before beginning the climb up the bank.

People travelled from as far afield as the USA, Ghana and Uganda, while one family made the long trip from Adelaide, South Australia, to set up camp just above Grinton village.

The Warns had parked in Reeth at 4am before waiting for the heavy rain to subside and claiming their spot on the roadside.

They described the Dales scenery as “magnificent” and said they were looking forward to seeing Aussie rider Richie Porte in action.

As the Tour caravan travelled up the Moor, the atmosphere built among crowds high on the hill, with regular Mexican waves being set off by the Tour Makers. Police motorcycle riders high-fived the spectators, while one group of enterprising farmers drove a tractor across the Moor and sat in its raised loader bucket to get the best view possible.

As lead rider, German Jens Voigt, led the group up the bank, people packed onto the road to cheer the riders on.

Afterwards, keen cyclist Jo Robinson, of Danby Wiske, near Northallerton, said: “This is something we will never experience again – it’s incredible to see the amount of people who have turned out. The atmosphere is amazing.

“What better place in the world to have a bike race.”