Thousands of people lined the streets of the Stewartry for the OVO Tour of Britain.
Some of the world’s top cyclists set off from Glasgow on the opening stage, making their way through Ayrshire and into Dumfries and Galloway.
And as they were greeted by cheering crowds as they made their way south through Carsphairn, Dalry, Crossmichael and Castle Douglas before arriving at the finish line in Kirkcudbright.
It was the first time the race had been to the region since 2016 and the stunning weather helped showcase the Stewartry to cycling fans following the action on ITV4.
The council’s events champion, Adam Wilson, said: “Kirkcudbright was an inspired choice for the finale of day one of the 2019 Tour of Britain. The town provided the warmest of welcomes to the cyclists and visitors and looked pristine in the autumn sunshine.
“I’m sure this event will inspire many people to take a holiday in our beautiful region and to dust off their bikes and enjoy cycling in Dumfries and Galloway.”
The stage was won by Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen of Jumbo — Visma Cycling as he edged out Davide Cimolai and former European champ Matteo Trentin.
He said: “It was perfect. We had no help today, so we did it all as a team. We rode very strongly to catch the breakaway and make it a sprint. I could take my own line; it was a very good lead out. I was on the wheel of Trentin and sprinted full gas.”
Rory Townsend won the Eisberg Sprints jersey and the Wahooligan Combativity Award.
