ANOTHER successful Tour de Yorkshire has been celebrated, as organisers estimate more than one million people lined the spectacular route.

The high profile cycle race again enjoyed live coverage of the cyclists speeding through some of Yorkshire's best countryside, as the race was again watched by millions of television viewers in countries across the world. The 2016 edition was watched by 11.4 million viewers in 178 countries.

The Northern Echo: WIN: Team Dimension Data's Serge Pauwels celebrates with the trophy after winning the Tour de Yorkshire. Picture: DANNY LAWSON/PA WIRE

WIN: Team Dimension Data's Serge Pauwels celebrates with the trophy after winning the Tour de Yorkshire. Picture: DANNY LAWSON/PA WIRE

The race began on Friday with some of North Yorkshire’s most spectacular panoramic views, when the cyclists headed through the North York Moors and the Yorkshire coast, making their way from Bridlington to Scarborough via Malton, Pickering, Goathland, Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby.

But just metres from the Scarborough finish line, the scenes of beautiful countryside were replaced by horrifying images as rides became entangled in a multi-cyclist pile-up on the final sprint, leaving many walking wounded with cuts and bruises and just 15 riders crossing the finish line.

On Day Two of the men’s race, 122km from Tadcaster to Harrogate, saw the cyclists tackle an impressive climb at Lofthouse, before they made their way into Hambleton and travelled through West Tanfield and on to Harrogate.

The women’s race travelled along the same route and Yorkshire’s very own Lizzie Deignan wowed the massive crowds by breaking away and claiming an incredible solo victory in Harrogate.

Lizzie Deignan, 28, who hails from Otley - had 55-second advantage as she raced up Parliament Street in Harrogate and had time to soak up the deafening support before she crossed the line with her arms aloft.

After the stage a delighted Deignan said it was “up there with the biggest wins” of her career.

“The finish was so special and so surreal, and it meant so much to me to receive such great support," she said.

"It was incredible and I’m struggling to get my head around it.

"This is up there with the biggest wins of my career, definitely.

"There were a lot of big teams here and the tour is growing into a really prestigious race.

“We don’t get crowds like this in women’s cycling very often and it was unbelievable to see so many people on the roadside.

"The fact that the whole race was televised live as well was really important.

"You’ll only see stronger and stronger women coming to this race in the future because of that, and the best riders specifically targeting this race.”

North Yorkshire Police, who oversaw the multi-agency operation on the first two stages of the tour paid tribute to everyone involved in the organisation of the major event.

Superintendent Dave Hannan, North Yorkshire Police’s Head of Specialist Operations, said: “The crucial thing is that the thousands of people who have lined the streets and followed the riders around our stunning coast and countryside, have been able to so in a safe, secure and celebratory family atmosphere.

“This is testament to the detailed planning and hard work put in over many months by the partner organisations and the four Yorkshire police forces.”

The third and final day of the men’s race saw some gruelling climbs.

Serge Pauwels claimed his first career victory by winning the final stage of the Tour de Yorkshire into Fox Valley, and with it the overall competition in the race.

The 33-year-old Belgian, riding for Team Dimension Data, attacked off the top of the Cote de Wigtwizzle, the second of four categorised climbs in the final 22 kilometres of the 194.5km stage from Bradford.

It was a thrilling finish to a brute of a stage which took the riders over eight categorised climbs and more than 3,700 metres of ascending.