Tour of Britain

They may be the superstars of British cycling and tamed some of the toughest races in Europe but the flat lands of Norfolk proved too much for both Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish on the opening day of the Tour of Britain.

Both crashed within a few hundred yards of each other in a dramatic finale to the longest stage of the race from Ipswich to Norwich. On a blazing hot day, thousands lined the route to cheer the riders on.

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• Norfolk
• Suffolk

Thousands of people lined the streets of Suffolk and Norfolk today for the first stage of the Tour of Britain.

The turnout was boosted by Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins. But spectators did not get the ending they might have hoped for.

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• Bradley Wiggins
• Mark Cavendish

The Tour de France winner and Olympic Gold Medallist Bradley Wiggins was among 101 cyclists who raced through Suffolk and Norfolk for the first stage of the Tour of Britain today.

The cyclists set off from Ipswich at 10am, and are due to start arriving at the Norfolk Showground near Norwich within the next five minutes.

ITV Anglia viewer Jane Manthorp sent in this photograph of Bradley Wiggins as he passed through Woodbridge in Suffolk.

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• Bradley Wiggins
• Norfolk

Thousands of people have lined the streets of Suffolk to watch the Tour of Britain.

The first stage of the race started in Ipswich at ten o'clock. The competitors will head up the Suffolk Coast and through Norfolk, finishing at the Norfolk Showground early this afternoon.

101 cyclists are taking part in the 120 mile route stage, including the Tour de France and Olympic gold medal winner Bradley Wiggins.

• UK
• Suffolk
• Norfolk

The world's top two cyclists will be in our region on Sunday, competing on the first stage of the Tour of Britain.

Bradley Wiggins - Olympic star and winner of the Tour de France along with Team Sky colleague Mark Cavendish will both ride 127 miles from Ipswich to the Norfolk Showground near Norwich.

It's the third year running the race has come to our region and with warm weather expected, thousands are expected to line the route through Suffolk and Norfolk.

Race Director, Mike Bennett, said: "Cycling has really captured the imagination just now and this is the chance to see the biggest names in the sport".

"I am slightly nervous about how many people might turn up. They must be aware of how fast the riders go and to take instructions from the police and those supervising the race".

102 riders are due to set off from Ipswich at 10am and the leaders are expected to arrive at the showground at 2:45pm.

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• Tour of Britain