Some of the world’s fastest men on two wheels were in Somerset this week, taking in the county’s sights and sounds in a hard-fought race.

Weston Mercury: The Peloton climb up The Cheddar Gorge during stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA WireThe Peloton climb up The Cheddar Gorge during stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

The Tour of Britain cycle race visited the West Country on Tuesday.

The peloton was packed with the best riders on the planet speeding through the streets.

The 128km stage started and ended in Bristol, with Tour de France kings Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome travelling through villages like Cheddar, Shipham, Churchill, Yatton and Congresbury on their way to the finish line.

The streets were lined with thousands of people who hoped to get a glimpse of the high-octane action in the third stage of the eight-day race which concludes in London on Sunday.

Weston Mercury: The Peloton climb up The Cheddar Gorge during stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA WireThe Peloton climb up The Cheddar Gorge during stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

The stage was won France and Quick-Step rider Julian Alaphilippe.

British duo Ethan Hayter and Connor Swift finishing fourth and sixth respectively.

As the Mercury went to press, Patrick Bevin from New Zealand was leading the general classification, alongside Australian Cameron Mayer on the same time.

Hugh Carthy and Scott Davies are the highest ranked British riders, at ninth and 10th respectively after three stages.

Weston Mercury: The Peloton climb up The Cheddar Gorge during stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA WireThe Peloton climb up The Cheddar Gorge during stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

Weston Mercury: Quick Step Floor's Julian Alaphilippe celebrates winning stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA WireQuick Step Floor's Julian Alaphilippe celebrates winning stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

Weston Mercury: Quick Step Floor's Julian Alaphilippe (centre) celebrates winning stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA WireQuick Step Floor's Julian Alaphilippe (centre) celebrates winning stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

Weston Mercury: Quick Step Floor's Julian Alaphilippe on the podium after winning stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA WireQuick Step Floor's Julian Alaphilippe on the podium after winning stage three of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain 2018 in Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 4, 2018. See PA story CYCLING Tour of Britain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)