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| Tour of Britain: Cycle race makes north Wales debut | Tour of Britain: Cycle race makes north Wales debut |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Crowds of people have been greeting some of the world's best riders, as the Tour of Britain cycle race enters north Wales for the first time. | |
| Stage four of the race is passing through Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Conwy before finishing in Llanberis, Gwynedd. | |
| Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish are taking part in Wednesday's stage. | Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish are taking part in Wednesday's stage. |
| On Thursday the peloton will tackle a 177km (110-miles) stage from Machynlleth, Powys, to south Wales. | On Thursday the peloton will tackle a 177km (110-miles) stage from Machynlleth, Powys, to south Wales. |
| Thousands of spectators turned out for the first three stages of the eight-stage race, which began in Scotland on Sunday, and is due to end in London. | |
| The first riders entered north Wales shortly after midday, at Bangor-on-Dee, near Wrexham. | |
| In Wrexham, spectators lined the streets as police out riders led a rolling road block through the town centre. | |
| Sir Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky were leading the second pack of riders. | |
| 'Demanding climbs' | 'Demanding climbs' |
| Competitors are making their way through five of north Wales' six counties before finishing in Llanberis, Gwynedd. It is estimated all riders will have arrived in Llanberis by 16:11 BST. | |
| Road closures will be in force along the route. | Road closures will be in force along the route. |
| Mick Bennett, race director, said: "This year's two Welsh stages will provide an opportunity for cycling fans from across the country to see The Tour of Britain in action. | Mick Bennett, race director, said: "This year's two Welsh stages will provide an opportunity for cycling fans from across the country to see The Tour of Britain in action. |
| "Both stages feature some of the best scenery from anywhere on The Tour of Britain but also very demanding climbs that will help shape the nature of this year's race. | "Both stages feature some of the best scenery from anywhere on The Tour of Britain but also very demanding climbs that will help shape the nature of this year's race. |
| "Last year it was on the stage to Caerphilly that Jonathan Tiernan Locke won the race showing just how decisive the Welsh mountains can be." | "Last year it was on the stage to Caerphilly that Jonathan Tiernan Locke won the race showing just how decisive the Welsh mountains can be." |
| Councillor Hugh Evans, chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase north Wales as a destination, not only for cyclists but also visitors and indeed our own residents." | Councillor Hugh Evans, chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase north Wales as a destination, not only for cyclists but also visitors and indeed our own residents." |
| He added: "North Wales is fast earning a name for itself as a destination to host major events. | He added: "North Wales is fast earning a name for itself as a destination to host major events. |
| "We really hope this event will put the spotlight firmly on north Wales and that the success will attract other great events to our region in future." | "We really hope this event will put the spotlight firmly on north Wales and that the success will attract other great events to our region in future." |