Major cycling event Tour of Britain speeds through Oxfordshire today

Riders whizzed through the county today on day seven of the major cycling event, which sees participants tackle 186km from Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham. 

The peloton passed through Horton-cum-Studley, Islip, Bletchingdon, Wootton, Charlbury and the Wychwoods, before moving onto Gloucestershire and the finish line. 

Spectators gathered to watch this afternoon as the race made its way into Charlbury. 

Excitement building in Charlbury for arrival of @TourofBritain! pic.twitter.com/SvQzwU8OrD

— Cllr Dr Bartington (@cllrbartington) September 9, 2017

Crowds gathering in Charlbury ahead of the Tour of Britain. @TheOxfordMail pic.twitter.com/OTAaH6jhIh

— Michael Race (@OxMailMichaelR) September 9, 2017

Scores of cyclists arrived in the town at about 1.30pm, just as the rain started pelting down.  

• Pothole riddled road in Charlbury 'could cause Tour of Britain catastrophe'

Police officers attending the event seemed impressed with the Charlbury crowds.

To prevent any bucks v oxon rivalry the joint first prize for crowds has to go to brill and Charlbury @TourofBritain C.I.Parsons

— TVP Roads Policing (@tvprp) September 9, 2017

There were rolling road closures while the competitors - including big sporting names such as Mark Cavendish - passed through. 

Above: route map for stage seven of the Tour of Britain

According to its roadworks map, Oxfordshire County Council allocated an estimated time slot of 11.30am-1.30pm for closures in the county. 

A full list of affected roads is available on the Beckley and Stowood Parish Council website.

Organisers are running a live blog of the race throughout the day. 

Tweet us @TheOxfordMail or email us with your photos of the race.