THE atmosphere generated by the crowds at the Devon stage of the Tour of Britain was on a par with that of The Tour de France, according to race organisers — and the cheers from Okehampton to Tavistock to Princetown certainly seemed to prove it.

Thousands of people lined the route, many camping out overnight, to claim their space trackside for the 'King of the Mountains' stage of the penultimate day of the tour, the highest climb of the whole race.

Everywhere there were flags, banners, groups of cyclists, from club members to family groups and people not that really into cycling but completely engrossed by the atmosphere.

Dartmoor National Park, which organised an open top bus viewing point at Rundlestone near Princetown, said Saturday was the best advert for the moor it had ever had.

With Devon rider Jon Tiernan-Locke starting the day in the IG Markets Gold Jersey as the overall leader of the race, the tour through Devon was the perfect opportunity for the home rider to take centre stage.

Jon went on to win the tour, no doubt fuelled by the roars from the Devon crowds which he later said was 'amazing.'

'On the two climbs on Dartmoor I couldn't pick out anyone I knew,' he said. 'It was a wall of sound, you just couldn't take it all in.'

Although Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins had pulled out of the race the day before the Devon Stage, spectators still got to see world champion Mark Cavendish, as well as being treated to an aggressive breakaway by former Olympic Road Race Champion Samuel Sanchez and double Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso. who both finished just yards behind stage winner Pablo Urtasan.

Chairman of Tavistock Wheelers Geoff Witlow said he had never seen crowds like it on Merrivale Hill: 'This would never have happened five years ago, seeing crowds like this, struggling to get through because of all the cars parked on the roadside, you would be hallucinating.

'The reason for it is everything wrapped into one — the Olympic spirit, the popularity of cycling, the fact that it is taking place on a Saturday, the weather is fantastic.

'We (Tavistock Wheelers) did our own time trial this morning over this route and there were people here at 7am. They must have camped overnight to get their pitch.

'It was like Le Tour de France where groups of people follow the event around the country.'

Richard Drysdale from Dartmoor National Park said: 'Last year there were 3,500 people at Haytor watching the Tour of Britain. I think we have easily matched that today.

'The weather is stunning, brilliant and what a great day to show what Dartmoor has to offer.'

Mick Bennett, Race Director of The Tour of Britain, said: 'That was the best atmosphere I've experienced at a stage in the nine years we've been running The Tour of Britain and it's equal to that of The Tour de France.

'To see crowds of such big proportions was unbelievable.

'They were Tour de France size crowds. For me it was fantastic, the best stage we've ever had.'

The race went through Hatherleigh, Folly Gate, Okehampton, Lydford, Tavistock, Merrivale, Princetown and Poundgate.

Cycling-related and fun activities continued through the day in many of these communities.

Adam Fleet from Tavistock BID (Business Improvement District) who helped organise the celebrations in Tavistock said: 'It was so good to see thousands of people line the streets of Tavistock on Saturday to cheer the champions as they shot through.

'The 500 flags branded with the new Tavistock BID logo were snapped up and waved as the riders thundered through.

'So many families with young children enjoyed the free fun and spent the day in Tavistock. This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the town.'