Tour of Britain begins with cycling battle in Scottish Borders

Big crowds in the Borders have been enjoying a cycling spectacle on the region’s roads.

Some of the top riders in the sport have been taking part in the opening stage of the Tour of Britain, which started and finished in Kelso.

Among their number were young Peebles rider Callum Thornley and Kelso’s own Oscar Onley.

But the win went to Frenchman Paul Magnier with a powerful sprint across the town’s famous cobbles.

The 182km (113-mile) route passed through Coldstream, Gordon, Melrose, Denholm, Jedburgh and St Boswells.

Onley, who recently competed in the Tour de France, said it was great to be back home in the Borders.

“It is where I started training – I grew up on these roads and I know this area really well,” he said.

“It is always really nice to come back home.”

Among those watching him in action were his anxious mother, Sharon, and sister, Harriet, in the tour village.

“It’s been an exciting journey so far with Oscar and it’s so good to have him home,” said Sharon.

“Being a mum, it’s scary and I don’t like watching him race.

“Oscar’s team, DFM, have been fantastic with him – they’ve not only given him the opportunity but they also look after him so well.”

He also had strong support out on the route from locals keen to back him.

Another Scottish rider, Sean Flynn from Edinburgh, also had his supporters at the stage.

His sister, Anna, was hopeful he could put in a good performance.

“He’ll be used to the rough roads around here so I think he will do well,” she said.

His girlfriend, Lauren Dickson, added: “It’s pretty special for me and the family to come along and see him.

“It’s special because you have such a high calibre in Scotland, it’s so nice and it’s going to inspire young people.”

Peebles racer Thornley ended up with something to celebrate as his part in the breakaway helped ensure he finished as King of the Mountains.

“I am really buzzing, it is so nice to come back and see my family then to be racing on home roads makes it even more special,” he said.

“The support out there today was pretty incredible.

“I grew up riding Glentress and the roads around Peebles but these are my frequent roads – I have done all these climbs quite a lot.”

A protest was staged at the event against the involvement of the Israel Premier Tech team.

Palestinian flags could be seen on a section of the route through Kelso.

The action out on the road was frantic throughout the day with the Borders countryside providing a spectacular backdrop.

In the end it resulted in a high-speed small group sprint into Kelso.

It was the Soudal Quick-Step team which mastered the situation best to put its rider to the front when it mattered.

Magnier powered away in the closing stages to celebrate in front of the gathered cycling fans.