Have a look at some of the pictures taken from the launch of the sixth stage of the Tour of Britain.

Cyclists set off from Sidmouth’s Esplanade at 11.30am this morning in front of hundreds of spectators excited to catch a glimpse of the riders.

The cyclists will now embark on the shortest stage of this year’s race, 149.9km, to the finish at Haytor. Although it’s the shortest it will still be a challenge climbing up the Dartmoor hills.

Don’t know much about the Tour of Britain? Check out our beginners guide:

• There are eight stages to the Tour of Britain which started on Sunday, September 4, and will finish on Sunday, September 11.

• The stage from Sidmouth to Haytor is 149.9km and will take the cyclists through Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Tiverton, Crediton, Chudleigh, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey and Haytor.

• The leading rider with the best time overall, currently Julien Vermote after five stages, wears the yellow jersey – this shirt eventually goes to the overall winner of the event.

• At the end of each stage the first 15 riders across the finish line are awarded points from 15 down to one. The rider with the most points so far wears the blue and white Chain Reaction Cycles Points jersey. It is the equivalent to the Tour de France green jersey.

• The King of the Mountain jersey, which is black with a dash of lime green, is awarded to the best climber. There are designated king of the mountain climbs on each stage, with the first rider across the summit winning points.

• The Yodel Sprints jersey is green with a dash of red – to get this riders battle it out to be the first to cross the sprint line to claim points and bonus seconds to be taken off their overall race time.

• In 2013 the route attracted 250,000 spectators.

• Stage five was won by New Zealand cyclist Jack Bauer. The 31-year-old completed the 194-and-a-half km route between Aberdere and Bath in four hours 45 minutes and 25 seconds.

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