A year ago today thousands of people lined the streets of Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden, Finchingfield and Felsted to witness the world’s famous cyclists riding through the district on the third stage of the Tour de France.

The peloton, included Chris Froome, 2014 winner Vincenzo Nibali and Peter Sagan, sped through Uttlesford as it made its way from Cambridge to London.

The elite cyclists started the 21-stage in Yorkshire, where Nibali took the yellow jersey in the second stage.

The Italian Astana rider held on to the leader’s jersey to the end, down the Champs Elysees in Paris, where the race finishes each year.

Marcel Kittel raced to the win on the Mall in the final stage in Britain before the Tour headed for the remaining races on home French soil.

This year, Nibali has more of a fight on his hands to retain the prestigious title, as Froome and Alberto Contador, who both withdrew last year following crashes in the first week, are back in contention.

As is Nairo Quintano, Essex cyclist Alex Dowsett’s Movistar teammate, who is tipped as a main candidate to win the gruelling race.

This year, the tour started in the Netherlands, with a time trial on Saturday, followed by a weather-hit stage yesterday.

Today, the route travels from Anvers to Huy, in Belgium.