The Tour de France draws to a close on Sunday, and we’re looking back on the famous French cycling race and its influence closer to home.


This year’s is the 111th edition of the event. It started in Florence on June 29 and, for the first time since its inception, will finish in Nice instead of Paris or its environs.

This is due to preparations for the 2024 summer Olympics taking place in the capital.
A highlight of the competition so far has been Mark Cavendish from the Isle of Man winning stage five, his 35th stage victory at the Tour de France, breaking the record of 34 wins by Eddy Merckx.
This year Italy hosted the Grand Départ for the first time, which was fitting, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the first Italian victory in the Tour by Ottavio Bottecchia in 1924.
The route also went through the microstate of San Marino, making it the 14th country to be visited by a Tour stage.
In 2016, Cumbria was part of the Tour de Britain and our main picture shows cyclists on Broadgate, Grasmere.

(Image: John Story)

Above is Charles Sawyer, six, who was cheered by the crowd before the race arrived.

(Image: David Hollins)
A picture from the Tour de Britain in 2012 shows Mark Cavendish and his then Sky teammate Sir Bradley Wiggins in Carlisle.

(Image: Newsquest)
When Allonby Community Centre hosted its annual art exhibition in 2016 a picture of the Tour de France in Paris by Sue Cumella took pride of place.

In another image, intrepid athletes compete in the fifth Tour de Helvellyn, a 38-mile race on the shortest weekend of the year.

(Image: Newsquest)

Wordsworth House in Cockermouth was decorated for the 2015 Tour de Britain. Pictured are Zoe Gilbert, left, and Rachael Painter from the National Trust with a yellow bike and a green spot denoting the King of the Mountains jersey.

(Image: Newsquest)
Bill Nickson, left, and Dave Salt are shown preparing for the 20th anniversary Tour de Furness.

(Image: Newsquest)
Jonti Chippindale, owner of The Toy Shop in Cockermouth, wanted the council to bid for the Tour de Britain and hung a bike above the door to make his point.

(Image: Newsquest)
Our final picture shows Sir Bradley Wiggins before the start of the third stage of the Tour de Yorkshire in 2015.