Tour of Britain : Gaviria claims stage as Newark welcomes world's top riders

Fernando Gaviria claimed a sprint finish victory as the Tour of Britain's fourth stage concluded in Newark.

The Quick-Step Floors rider, from Colombia, held off challenges from Elia Viviani (Team Sky) and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha-Alpecin).

Viviani has now claimed the leader's green jersey thanks to his placing and time bonus.

Stage Four highlights

The 165km stage passed through towns and villages including Southwell, Edingley, Bilsthorpe, Collingham and Coddington before riders made their way down Beacon Hill and past Newark Castle before finishing on Farndon Road.

Southwell

Communities came out in force to support the tour.

In Southwell, a crowd of 187 pupils from Lowe’s Wong Junior School, standing in the grounds of the Minster on their first day back following the summer holidays, greeted the riders with flags and enthusiastic cheering.

Headteacher Mrs Aly Speed said: “For some of the children this was their first day ever at school.

“When we spoke about the tour on Wednesday morning they were very excited.

“One of our topics this year is sport, and we’ll be using the tour in some of our lessons.

“We thought it was important to support a sport other than football. Riders like Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas are on a par with famous footballers.”

Southwell Scout Group and Invictus Explorers had decorated a property on Westgate with yellow balloons and bunting.

Alison Sutherland, group Scout leader, said: “It’s a really great opportunity to see elite athletes at the pinnacle of their sport."

“It inspires our young people to get on their bikes.”

Collingham

Beacon Hill, Newark

Mr Jonathan Brightwell was at Beacon Hill with his children: Mae, 3, Harry, 5 and Ewan 7, and their friend Maddie Roach, 7.

They had all been allowed to watch the tour as their school, Barnby Road Academy, had finished early for the day.

Mr Brightwell said: "This is brilliant, it gets the whole area on the map.

"It's the first time an event like this has come to Newark - and that's why we're here."

Castlegate, Newark

Spectators who lined both sides of Castlegate cheered as the cyclists whizzed through on the final stretch of the race.

David Thompson and Terry Mumby, from Newark, were arrived more than an hour before the first riders were expected to arrive.

"We'd been watching it on television and wanted to get a good spot," said David. "It was really great."

The finish

Thursday's fifth stage is a time trial in Tendring, Essex.