Liam Holohan riding high on Tour de France stage

Liam Holohan, a former elite cyclist, took part in the event with Shropshire-based amateur cycling team Rhino Velo Race Team, run by Shropshire businessmen Chris Pook, of Estate Agents Cooper Green Pooks, and Ben Lawrence, of Beaumont Lawrence Chartered Insurance Brokers.

Holohan, who previously rode for UCI teams Team Wiggins and Madison Genesis, was aiming to become the first Britain to win the race but ultimately finished in eighth.

But he said he was thrilled with his result as the fastest British rider.

He said: “Taking part in the Etape du Tour is something I have wanted to do for a while. The race definitely suited my abilities as a climber and I’m proud of coming eighth.”

Since 1993, amateurs have had the chance to tackle one of the stages of the famous three-week race, which this year finished on July 29.

The Etape du Tour took place in the French Alps between Annecy and Le Grand Bornand.

About 12,500 amateur cyclists were able to enjoy completely closed roads, tackling 100 miles of breathtaking scenery, over 4,000m of climbing, five mountain passes with gradients of 10-12 per cent and in 30 degrees centigrade heat.

Holohan, who runs a coaching business Holohan Coaching, was five minutes down on the winner Victor Lafay, the under-23 French road race champion who starts with professional team Cofidis in August. Matt Davies, 35, of Minsterley, Matt Garthwaite, 32, of Newport, and Chris Pook, 35, of Shrewsbury, all finished in the top one per cent overall within a few minutes of each other in 70th, 76th and 125th respectively.

Tom Pook, 30, of Shrewsbury, finished a creditable 311th, whilst Barrie, of Hanwood, who celebrates his 40th birthday this week, did a super ride to finish 771th.

During the event, cyclists climbed the Col de la Croix-Fry before embarking on a 7km climb to the Plateau des Glières at an average gradient of 11 per cent.

They then rode up to the Col de Romme, the Col de la Colombière, the latter perched at 1,613 metres above sea level.

The total elevation gain for the day was more than 4,000 metres and after 170km the event finished with a final downhill to Le Grand-Bornand.

Mr Lawrence, who also sponsors the team with Cooper Green Pooks, Doppio Protection and Holohan Coaching, said the Rhino Velo Race Team has been going from strength to strength with every race of the season.

He said: “We are really proud of how well Liam did. We now have a week of training in the Alps with Liam coaching the team. This extra effort will hopefully see the team finish the season in a strong position.”

The next big event for the team is the Haute Route in August - a multi-day race across Switzerland and France.