A TOUGH warm-up ahead of this week’s Tour de Yorkshire has seen thousands of spectators watch elite level cyclists brave the steep banks and 99 miles of winding roads that cut through coastal communities.

The second East Cleveland Klondike Grand Prix was staged on Sunday, with cyclists starting and finishing the HSBC UK British Cycling Spring Cup Series race in Guisborough’s Westgate.

The race followed a route through New Marske, Boosbeck, Loftus and Brotton, before riders took on Saltburn Bank and another two laps of the long circuit. The race leaders and peloton then led a smaller circuit around east Cleveland before spectators of all ages welcomed the cyclists back to Guisborough.

Eighteen-year-old Tom Pidcock was first to cross the finish line, after more than four hours of racing, to clinch his first ever senior race victory for Team Wiggins.

The young athlete won the Tour Series in Durham last year before becoming senior National Circuit champion in Sheffield.