Tour of Britain in Lincolnshire is 'really cool'

Professional cyclists and enthusiasts have shared their excitement ahead of the start of the Tour of Britain.

The 565 miles (910km) cycling race will officially start later with the first stage being held in Lincoln. The second stage of the race will also be held in Lincolnshire with competitors cycling from from Boston to Skegness on Thursday.

Sian Botteley, from Bourne, will be cheering on her husband who is a professional cyclist and said "it's really cool" that the race was being held in the county.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to do it on our home roads," she added.

On the eve of the race on Tuesday, the pro cyclists could be seen taking in the sights of Michaelgate in Lincoln - a cobbled street with gradient of up to 20%.

Botteley's partner, Adam Lewis, will be competing for APS Pro Cycling and said he expected to see "a lot of family and friends will be out on the climb."

"It's really motivating to put on a good show for the big crowds that I'm sure will be here," he added.

Ronan O'Connor, from Ireland, said Lincolnshire was a "lovely area" and said the Michaelgate climb seemed "challenging enough" adding that he would "give it a good go".

However Mark Stewart, a Scottish cyclist for Team Modern Adventure, laughed at the suggestion the Lincolnshire Wolds even had hills.

"Hills is a stretch isn't it? I think they're slight rollers I'd call them," said Stewart who then revealed he lives and trains in the Pyrenees mountain range between France and Spain.

Cian Keogh, from Ireland, disagreed with Stewarts assessment of Lincolnshire's hills, saying "it's certainly not a straightforward first day of the race."

"The approach to this circuit in Lincoln is a tricky approach, and the climb is very tough, he added.

Cycling fan Arkadiusz Ciesielski had just cycled up the cobbles himself to soak in the atmosphere when he spoke to the BBC.

"I'm fully impressed," when asked about the teams due to take on the hill.

"It's actually a tough sport if you think about it. You spend many hours on the seat, sacrifice your body just to be part of the big tour."

In addition to the first two days in Lincolnshire, the Tour of Britain will also head to East and North Yorkshire before concluding in the Scottish Borders on Sunday 6 September.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

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