A TOP cycling event that helped put Lawford and Mistley “on the map” has been hailed as a success.

The second stage of the Aviva Women’s Tour saw the racing stars pass through Lawford, Mistley, Bradfield and Wix last Thursday.

The 138km stage started in Braintree, passing into Suffolk before finishing in Clacton.

It is the second longest stage in this year’s race and, as the world-class field battled out the final placings, it was Belgium’s Jolien D’Hoore who crossed the line first, closely followed by German rider Lisa Brennauer and Christine Majerus, of Luxembourg, in third.

Mick Skeels, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for leisure, said it was an honour for the district to attract the tour for the second year running.

“I cannot think of any other event staged in the district which has such an incredible array of talent on show and they are given a deserved warm welcome,” he said.

“We will be looking very carefully to see if we can make itahat-trick in 2016, and I am sure that many people will want to see them return again.”