A FAMOUS cycle race between some of the worlds best cyclists passed through multiple towns and villages in the district.

The Tour of Britain saw professionals take on a route from Southend to Harlow, passing through South Woodham Ferrers, Althorne, Burnham, Southminster, Tillingham, Steeple, Mayland, Latchingdon and Purleigh.

Residents stood on the roadside along the route to watch the participants fly past in the competition.

The cyclists were in a tense part of the race as they approached the sprint at Burnham.

A spokesman for the Tour of Britain said: “Stage six, the second of the race’s Eastern England doubleheader, rolled out from Southend’s Western Esplanade in the shadow of the city’s historic pier.

“It took just two kilometres for three riders to go clear and form the stage’s first breakaway, although the time the trio of Kamil Malecki (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) and TDT – Unibet Cycling Team’s Joren Boem and Abram Stockman were to have out front was clearly numbered when Alex Coleman (Team Flanders-Baloise) bridged across to them approaching the cottages.com sprint at Burnham-on-Crouch at 50.4km.”

Roads were closed using a rolling roadblock system as the cyclists passed through towns and villages.

Maldon District Council chairman Kevin Lagan said: “Personally I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to show off the district and it brings in a whole new audience to the area and promotes the district.

“I don’t see any negatives to events like this. I do empathise with people with the road closures, but the closures are relatively short.

“The energy and enthusiasm from the Maldon district during events like this is amazing. The only downside is the small inconvenience.

“This year for the Ride London I felt it was an honour to be involved.

“You have the very best in the world cyclists so I think, bring on more events like it.

“It inspires people to go outside and do something healthy. The greater good outweighs the bad.”