Tour of Britain: Talks to bring cycle race back to Cumbria
Talks have begun to bring the Tour of Britain cycle race back to Cumbria, the county council has said.
It said Monday's 186km (115 miles) stage between Carlisle and Kendal attracted "thousands" to the county.
Popular cyclists including Sir Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and Nairo Quintana are taking part in the eight-stage race, which began on Sunday.
A council spokesman said the race organisers recognised Cumbria posed a "challenge of strength for cyclists".
He said they also appreciated that the race was well supported by local people.
Stage winner Gerard Ciolek, from Germany, said it was a "hard day in tough conditions" and that it was "great to see so many people come out".
Stage two saw competitors cycle through Keswick, Ambleside and Windermere, before finishing at Beast Banks in Kendal.
The council spokesman said one of the race highlights, the climb at Honister Pass, was "packed with hundreds of spectators cheering riders on through the gruelling hill climb, giving the event a real Tour de France feel".