Tour of Britain 2012 in Stafford

Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish raced through Stafford this morning as crowds of locals gathered to cheer on competitors in Stage 5 of the Tour of Britain.

Tour-de-France winner Wiggins and sprint champ Cavendish were joined by dozens of competitors as they raced through the outskirts of Stafford via Beaconside and on to Baswich.

Crowds gathered along the route, while students and tutors alike left the nearby University to cheer on the cyclists.

Local primary school children joined in, waving flags and hand-made banners.

A 50-strong fleet of police motorcycles led the way, closely followed by the cyclists, who had made their way from neighbouring Stone before going on to Cannock Chase.

Spectator James Flint, 52, from Stafford, said: "I booked a morning off work to watch this. I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Bradley Wiggins fan, Sarah Carter, 44, said: "It was all over so fast. The speeds they were reaching were incredible. I didn't see Bradley, but I'm sure he was in there somewhere!"

The gruelling race, which covers the length of the country, now goes on to Welshpool, before ending in Guildford on Sunday September 16.

View our gallery of the Tour of Britain in Stafford - click here! - http://tinyurl.com/8mkaj73