Spitfire and Tour de France winner join Tour of Britain celebrations

On the second day of the Tour of Britain, a spitfire flypast and a former Tour de France champion were part of the festivities as the race made its way through Lincolnshire. The riders covered approximately 111.9 miles (180.2km) with an elevation of 2864.1ft (873m) as they raced from Boston, Lincolnshire to Skegness. Street parties and a festival of cycling and street art were held along the route to mark the occasion.

Jo Hartley and Pat O Connell traveled from York to watch the start of the race, hoping to catch a glimpse of the finish. Former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas was also in attendance, expressing excitement about the event. Land art installations marked the occasion, such as a schoolgirl's competition piece in Boston. Children from primary schools in Horncastle and Utterby cheered the cyclists on, creating hand-made signs and enjoying the atmosphere.

In Alford, a market and various forms of entertainment were held throughout the day, with residents decorating the town for the event. Wainfleet also decorated shop windows and tied a welcome banner to the railings at the side of the road. The race concluded in Skegness, with a Spitfire performing a flyover to close out the second stage.

Belgian cyclist Tim Merlier won the stage, while British rider Lewis Askey remains in the overall lead. The third stage of the race will begin in Hull on Friday.