Wind and rain battered the riders during the days race but a tail wind pushed the group on through the final leg of the third stage of The Women’s Tour 2014.
The peloton was very much riding together at the end of the race, although Tiffany Cromwell made a very late break, and went out on an attack with just 3km to go.
But by the last kilometre of the 86km stint the group had reunited and it was anyone’s race.
It was Marianne Vos who made the final attack and broke free to win the days race.
Vos was already leading, in terms of points, when she started the race and is now a clear contender to win the overall series.
Essex reporter, Will Lodge, was at the finish line and he said: “I took up a spot at the finishing line to watch the blur of bikes, legs and colourful jerseys race for the stage win, and it was a thrilling end.”
Cllr Mark Platt, who is in Clacton today, said he is delighted with the public’s response to the tour.
It returns to Essex on Sunday when the fifth and final stage sets out from Harwich - ahead of the launch of the Tour de Tendring series.
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