Skip to content

Tour of Britain: Stage six from Carlisle to Gateshead

Reuters Tour of Britain Hartside Pass, AlstonReuters
One of the hardest parts of the route was the climb up Hartside Pass

Crowds have lined the route of the sixth stage of the Tour of Britain as riders left Carlisle and travelled the 200km (124-mile) route through Cumbria to Gateshead.

The scenic route covered Ullswater, Penrith and Alston across the Pennines, Tyne Valley and Gateshead.

But although picturesque, it included 3,000m (9,842ft) of climbing for the riders.

One of the most strenuous parts of the course was the climb up Hartside Pass.

Reuters Spectators write a message on the road at Hartside Pass in AlstonReuters
Spectators wrote a message in chalk on the road at Hartside Pass in Alston
Reuters Tour of Britain Hartside Pass, AlstonReuters
There was a total of 3,000m (9,842ft) of climbing for the riders on Friday

The race started in Penzance in Cornwall on Sunday and ends in Aberdeen on Sunday.

Reuters Riders in action at Hartside PassReuters
Riders in action at Hartside Pass

Overnight leader Wout Van Aert from Belgium was first to cross the line at the Angel of the North in Gateshead.

The result is his third win in six days on his debut with the Tour of Britain.

Britain's Ethan Hayter was in second place after he sprinted to victory on stage five yesterday in the North West as the tour snaked from Alderley Park to Warrington.

Reuters A spectator at Hartside Pass in AlstonReuters
Spectators - some dressed patriotically - lined the route of Hartside Pass in Alston
PA Media Tour of Britain, Mark Cavendish passing UllswaterPA Media
Mark Cavendish was among the riders who passed Ullswater in the leg of the race

Stage seven of the race starts tomorrow in Hawick in the Scottish Borders and ends in Edinburgh.

The final stage is played out in north-east Scotland on Sunday, with the winner crowned in Aberdeen.

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].