A FATHER and son from Pontypool were among thousands of cycling fans at the fifth stage finish of the Tour of Britain in Caerphilly yesterday.

Crowds gathered near the finish line in expectant mood ahead of the arrival of the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish. In excess of 1,000 people were out enjoying the fun.

The early rain made way for the sun as the day wore on, with Caerphilly Castle providing a stunning backdrop as Irishman Sam Bennett won the stage.

Justin Jones, 40, from Pontypool, became interested in cycling during the London Olympics and the 2012 Tour de France.

He said: "It's amazing how many people I know are into cycling. I came over here past Blackwood and you wouldn't believe the amount of people we saw cycling in the pouring rain.

"It's a great thing for the area and it's putting it on the map."

His eight-year-old son, Ioan, had come along to see his "idol" Wiggins.

Curtis Fields, of Oakdale, was at the event with bike charity Sustrans.

He said: "It's great because it promotes the use of cycling in the area."