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Despite crashing less than 15 miles from the finish, Australian Robbie McEwen showed everyone just who is the world's best sprinter when he stormed home to win the first stage of the Tour de France in Canterbury (8 July).

More than two million people watched the race pass through the county but  the riders only briefly skirted Shepway before racing off along Stone Street on their way to the finish.

189 riders left Greenwich at 11am to race the 126-mile route to Canterbury, reaching the finishing line shortly before 3.50pm.

McEwen, who rides for Belgian team Predictor-Lotto, hit the accelerator in the final 150 metres of the race to stun Belgium's Tom Boonen and Thor Hushovd of Norway and win by over a bike length.

He now has 12 Tour de France stage victories, equalling German sprinter Erik Zabel, who until Sunday held the record of most stage wins in the Tour among active riders.

Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter today led a massive thank you to the people of Kent for making the visit of the Tour de France cycle race so successful.

"Every street, hamlet, village, town and city on the route did itself proud and showcased Kent to a world-wide television audience. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the Tour organisers said they had rarely seen crowds so big, even in France for the showcase stages." he said.

"The enthusiasm of the crowds was outstanding and must have been a tunnel of sound for the riders. The people of Kent did themselves proud and could not have put on a better shop window for tourism," said Mr. Carter.