Double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell and 1987 Tour De France winner Stephen Roche took a well earned rest in Dover on Thursday.

They stopped off at the town's leisure centre after they both completed the 175km first stage of the top amateur cycling race the London-Paris Cycle Tour.

The pair were among around 250 amateur cyclists who set off from Hampton Court in London at 6.45am.

The group is set to complete the race on Saturday at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

James Cracknell said: “The Kent weather has been beautiful and the experience of riding in a big group has been really good.

“Normally you have to stop for traffic lights and watch where you are going but we have had all the roads cleared for us coming through.

“A great way to raise money is to challenge yourself while helping others and that was a key attraction for me of this race.”

It is the first appearance on the London-Paris Cycle Tour for both Cracknell and Roche.

Top professional rider Emma Davis Jones is also taking part in the race which offers amateur cyclists the opportunity to ride in full professional conditions with rolling road closures, full mechanical support and group formations.

The event is split into four groups of cyclists.

Stephen Roche said: “The social aspect of this event and raising money for charity has made the whole package worthwhile.

“We were lucky to have a strong tail wind the whole way down to Dover

“There has been a lot of respect for me from the other riders as a Tour de France winner despite my hair going a bit greyer and putting on a little bit if weight since they last saw me.”