Thousands of people turned out to watch the Tour of Britain pass through the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire today.

Spectators gathered at the start and finish lines in Darlington and Redcar respectively, and lined the route to cheer on some of the world’s best cyclists as they whizzed by.

One-hundred-and-seven riders lined up in Darlington Market Square for the 152.1km leg to Redcar with council leader Steve Harker waving the flag to start the race at 11am.

Cyclists begin to make their way through Darlington.Cyclists begin to make their way through Darlington. (Image: Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Passing through towns including Stokesley and Whitby, Yarm was one of the first to witness the riders pass through the high street

Crowds gather at the starting line in Darlington.Crowds gather at the starting line in Darlington. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Schoolchildren, grandparents, and dog walkers alike gathered on the high street cobbles in Yarm, eyes set on Yarm Bride awaiting the leader coming over the horizon.  

Among them were Jim and Val, from Middleton St George, who came to watch the cycling after enjoying a spot of breakfast in Yarm.

Jim and Val, from Middleton St George.Jim and Val, from Middleton St George. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Meanwhile Susan Cole who headed down from Eaglescliffe told the Echo: “It was lovely to see so many people out in Yarm.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“It was a lovely event and I really enjoyed it. We saw all the adverts so we just couldn’t miss out. It was nice to see so much community spirit - everyone was chatting.”

“They come through at some speed - the police were really well organised and so well coordinated. It’s like they’d done it before!”

The race up Saltburn Bank.The race up Saltburn Bank. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Paul Magnier, 20, wore the leader’s jersey for the second stage on Wednesday, leading the pack having triumphed on day one in Scotland.

The race weaved through the region with competitors tackling some tricky terrain including the famous 300-metre climb up Saltburn Bank before finishing at Redcar where huge crowds waiting in anticipation to see who would win the leg.

The race reaches Saltburn.The race reaches Saltburn. (Image: PA)

(Image: STUART BOULTON)

It was Welshman Stephen Williams who outgunned former two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe to cross the finish line first.

Stephen Williams won the second stage from Darlington to Redcar.Stephen Williams won the second stage from Darlington to Redcar. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Williams, of team Israel-Premier Tech, produced an impressive sprint to move past Alaphilippe in the closing stages before holding his hands aloft at the finish to the cheers of spectators.

Competitors battle to make it up Saltburn bank,Competitors battle to make it up Saltburn bank, (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

British duo Oscar Onley (Team DSM-Firmenich) and Joseph Blackmore (Israel-Premier Tech) finished third and fourth.

Recommended reading:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 3 months for just £3, or get 30% off an annual subscription with our latest offer. Click here.

The 28-year-old Williams’ win takes him to the top of the overall standings – six seconds clear of Onley – with Alaphilippe in third, 16secs back. Stage-one winner Paul Magnier dropped to ninth.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Jonathan Day from British Cycling said: “The area is fantastic for these events. It is challenging for some of these world beating riders.”

The third of six stages runs between Sheffield and Barnsley on Thursday. The Tour concludes in Felixstowe on Sunday.