WORLD-CLASS cyclists were welcomed as the Tour of Britain came to North Staffordshire.

The 101 professionals from 17 teams arrived in Stoke-on-Trent yesterday for stage five of the race and were greeted by hundreds of supporters.

Crowds gathered at the Britannia Stadium to see them off and many more lined the streets of the 83-mile circuit before gathering to see the riders cross the finish line outside Hanley Town Hall.

For several of them, it was a second chance to watch riders take part in the prestigious race after the city hosted the end of the West Midlands stage last year.

Rob Sutton, from Longsdon, a 41-year-old managing director of a distribution company, went along to the start with one of his friends.

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He said: "We follow cycling anyway, so we wanted to come down and give our support to the event.

"It is important to encourage cycling and hopefully this event will get youngsters into it."

Jimmy Stone, aged 42, a stonemason, of Leek Road, Cellarhead, said: "I watched the end of the race in Hanley last year and it was lovely to see how many people supported it.

"For a non-mainstream sport in this country it seems even bigger this year."

Dave Vaughan, aged 49, a tile tester, of Hemsby Way, Westbury Park, said: "If events like this helps get more young people away from computers and out cycling, they have got to be good."

Not content with just seeing the beginning of the race, Tony Simpson was hoping to follow part of the route and then make it into Hanley in time for the finish.

The 48-year-old car body repairer, of Hammerton Avenue, Eaton Park, who was expecting to ride 40 to 50 miles, said: "I've booked time off work to be able to come out for the race.

"It has brought good things to the city."

Among the crowds were youngsters from several city schools.

Victoria Peake, a year six class teacher, took more than 50 children from St John's Primary School, Trent Vale.

She said: "We want to get the children enthusiastic about cycling.

"This is also a chance for them to take in the atmosphere of a big event and experience something new."

About 30 children from Newford Primary School, Smallthorne, were also there.

Alison Wood, literacy co-ordinator, said: "This is a great event for the children to be part of. We are very much a healthy school, so this links in with what we do.

"The children have loved showing their support and the atmosphere has been great."

Cycle enthusiasts were also given the chance to take part in their own version of the ride in the Potteries Pedlar Pied Piper, which was made up of two routes.

About 150 children from 15 city schools took part in the four-mile version, while a number of older riders opted for the eight-mile route.

Weston Coyney Junior School had 24 pupils entered in the shorter challenge.

Pat Lewis, a teaching assistant, said: "A lot of them were shattered by the time they got to the finish, but they all really enjoyed it."

Members of Newcastle's Lyme Racing Club made up the numbers on the eight-mile course.

One of them, leisure cyclist Ian Crooks was taking part with his daughter 14-year-old Imogen.

The 40-year-old graphic designer, of Oakhill Avenue, Oakhill, said: "It is fantastic publicity to have the Tour of Britain here.

"I missed out on the ride last year, due to a cycling accident, but I'm glad to be able to take part for a bit of fun today, especially now we are a cycling city."

Imogen, a pupil at St John Fisher Catholic College, in Newcastle, said: "I did the ride last year and it was good fun.

"It is a great experience to have."

Crowds at either end of the Tour of Britain stage five route, which was supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, were entertained by various stalls and activities, including an extreme mountain bike show and a biking competition for schools.

Councillor Ross Irving, council leader, said: "This sort of high-profile event highlights what we are all about as a cycling city.

"We have a great city and these sorts of events emphasise that."

The race was won by Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen, who had a double cause to celebrate after a victorious sprint finish and first place in Stoke-on-Trent last year.

Boasson Hagen, from Team Columbia-HTC and ranked third in the world, won a sprint finish ahead of Italian Filippo Pozzato, from Team Katusha, with third-placed Russell Downing, from CandiTV Marshall's Pasta, the first Briton home.

Hugh Roberts, Tour chief executive, was delighted with how the day went.

He said: "Stoke-on-Trent has totally earned its place in the Tour of Britain now. It is as good in terms of execution as any stage that we do."

Read the full report on the Tour of Britain Stoke-on-Trent stage: Page 45