There’s no doubt about it this race has grown. I first attended in 2010 as a volunteer marshall at a wet sprint at Gwaun Cae Gurwen. The organisers had marked the sprint on the map they sent in the wrong place so I spent about an hour trying to find it. Although they’d first asked me to go to Rochdale so I suppose this was an improvement. A small crowd watched and one guy was actually more excited by the team cars than the riders.

Things are different now. As I drove into the Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay for the team presentation I felt the excitement and atmosphere I associate with big rugby matches ( or used to until the WRU ruined club rugby for a quick buck). This was a genuine big event with queues forming at the gates waiting to get in. Okay this was a free event but queuing to see a bunch of cyclists walk on a stage would have been unimaginable a few years ago. The warm up acts included a local kid on a BMX and some bloke from BBC The Voice and the crowd wandered around the sponsors stalls watched some people blowing big bubbles and grasped their autograph sheets and various merch to be signed in anticipation.

Team Garmin Cannondale were first to arrive on stage containing 2014 winner Dylan Van Barle. The cycling geeks in the crowd were happy, many others didn’t really care they were waiting for bigger names i.e. Wiggo. They didn’t have to wait long after IAM talking about cheesecake and Yanto Barker showing off his bike for One Pro Team Wiggins arrived. The noise went up about six notches and Wiggins gave a hilarious interview, possibly tongue in cheek, about Sir David Brailsford, Team Sky and how he could now have fun and enjoy himself.

Now the big stars were arriving. I was to be honest a little starstruck as riders like Taylor Phinney, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Andre Greipel and Alex Dowsett came past. I also noticed one popular rider and how his personality changed when he thought the camera was on him. Cold, rude and too busy for waiting fans at first saw the Sky and L’Equipe reporters and changed instantly to interact with fans. Most to be honest didn’t actually know who he is anyway so perhaps karma prevailed. On the other hand the real stars spent a lot of time signing autographs. Greipel actually delayed his team presentation in doing so.

On to the next day and I drove into Beaumaris to catch the first time the Grand Depart has taken place in Wales and also the first time off mainland Britain. By the time I got there the crowds were building. Most of the island seemed to be outside the Team Wiggins motorhome hoping for a glimpse the rest were outside the bus of Team Sky. Riders talked to reporters and members of the public and the local “Tourmakers” revelled at being part of such a significant event.

After a quick bit of fanboying on the race route I went to the stage finish at Wrexham. Despite what many experts were saying I predicted a sprint finish and as usual was hoping for a Cav win.  Third time lucky I hoped after Rouen 2012 and Harrogate 2014. The crowds at Wrexham had been building all day and were 4 deep at the finish line. It was amazing. For what had been a minority sport just a few years ago to attracting crowds like this feels surreal. To stand for hours for a few seconds glimpse of actual action is not something even I pretend to understand but I do and so now to thousands of others in Britain. There was also an international feel with Dutch, French, German, Australian and even Eritreans, following their hero  Daniel Teklehaimanot, in attendance.The sprint came and Cav came second to Ellia Viviani of Team Sky the locals were happy with that and I was relieved that although Cav still hadn’t won with me at the finish line at least he hadn’t crashed this time.

Cycling is pretty unique in how close you can get to the stars. Walking around after the race the riders were friendly and approachable, even when being asked to pose for endless selfies. What other sport offers this? Imagine walking up to Wayne Rooney after United losing!

So this is just a little glimpse into the Tour of Britain. The race rolled on through Northumberland, The Potteries and East Midlands, East Anglia before finishing in London l last Sunday. If it’s near you next year try your very best to get there if not, still do so. I’m going to try to be there all race and on a last note just like the Tour de France there are now plenty of free hats on offer.