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Tour of Britain: Liverpool prepares for Grand Depart Tour of Britain: Liverpool hosts Tour of Britain Grand Depart
(about 5 hours later)
Thousands of spectators will descend on Liverpool later to watch some of the world's most famous cyclists as the Tour of Britain gets under way. Thousands of spectators lined the streets of Liverpool to watch some of the world's most famous cyclists as the Tour of Britain got under way.
The city is hosting the Grand Depart, which will see riders compete on a looped circuit around the city centre. The city hosted the Grand Depart, which saw riders set off on a looped circuit around the city centre.
Huge crowds are expected to line the route - as the riders complete eight laps from the waterfront out to Sefton Park and back. Huge crowds gathered and cheered as the riders began eight laps from the waterfront out to Sefton Park and back.
The race will then follow a further seven stages around the country. The race will go on to follow a further seven stages around the country.
Local cyclist Chris Boardman, who won Olympic gold in 1992 and took part in both tour races, is sure Liverpool can rise to the challenge of hosting the first stage, two months after Yorkshire showcased a spectacular start to the Tour de France. Riders taking part include household names Sir Bradley Wiggins and Isle of Man-born Mark Cavendish - who chose to compete despite still recovering from his Tour de France-ending crash in Harrogate.
Cycle fans Chris Battersby and Gabby Haigh, from Sefton Park, Liverpool, were among the crowds.
Chris said: "My mum's Manx, so we're supporting Cav. He crashed out right in front of us in Harrogate, so it's great to see him back. It would be great to see him win today."
Hoylake-born veteran cyclist Chris Boardman, who won Olympic gold in 1992 sung Liverpool's praises ahead of the race.
"We've got such iconic landmarks in Liverpool - the whole seafront is littered with them," he said."We've got such iconic landmarks in Liverpool - the whole seafront is littered with them," he said.
Riders taking part include household names Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish. Also taking part was Mark McNally, of Crosby, Merseyside, who said: "You don't often get to race around your local neighbourhood. Each year it's got bigger and bigger.
Isle of Man-born Cavendish has chosen to compete despite still recovering from his Tour de France-ending crash in Harrogate. "The top riders in the world are here. It's an opportunity to see some of the all-time greats of the sport."
He said: "I'm racing this week because this is my national Tour, Britain's big race, and I always want to support it when I can. On the nature of the urban course, he added: "It's laps around the city centre. Sometimes it makes it more exciting as you're always in and out of corners, and it makes the racing a bit more aggressive."
Mark Cavendish said: "I'm racing this week because this is my national Tour, Britain's big race, and I always want to support it when I can.
"It's always a treat racing on home soil in front of big British crowds. I'm just going to enjoy myself and see what the week brings.""It's always a treat racing on home soil in front of big British crowds. I'm just going to enjoy myself and see what the week brings."
The Tour of Britain takes place between 7 and 14 September. BBC Sport will be providing daily reports from the race. The Tour of Britain takes place between 7 and 14 September. Visit BBC Sport for the latest updates.