FORMER European champion Matteo Trentin shared the plaudits with the Scottish Borders on Sunday.

Millions from around the world tuned in on Sunday to watch the second stage of this year's OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

While the Italian Mitchelton-SCOTT rider won a thrilling finish on the Kelso cobbles, the host region was also deserving of a winner's jersey.

Thousands lined the 166 kilometre route which took in much of Berwickshire and the central Borders.

And almost as many packed into Kelso town centre for a day of everything cycling related.

Blue skies and barely a hint of a breeze made for perfect cycling and spectating conditions - as well as providing picturesque views for the ITV 4 live coverage.

The stage itself lived up to the hype with a three-rider break away being hauled back between Scott's View and Melrose.

And in the final few kilometres Alex Dowsett looked like he'd made a stage-winning move to open up an eight second lead, only to be passed within touching distance of the finishing line.

Winner Matteo said: "I knew I needed to launch the sprint before the cobbles because you need the speed to carry from the asphalt onto them.

"Winning is a good feeling."

Throughout the day, crowds were treated to musical performances and a host of cycling-related activities around Kelso.

The action from the peloton was also televised on two big screens.

But the atmosphere and noise was turned up a notch or two as the leaders raced past the Springwood Showground and crossed the Tweed Bridge for one final sprint.

British rider Dowsett was caught with less than 100 metres to go, and eventually crossed the line in seventh.

He said: "I saw Steve Cummings go and if he’s going then you know it’s a sign that it’s a good opportunity to go.

"I jumped onto him and then I just went straight over the top.

"It was always a maybe, like holy s**t this could be happening. Excuse my language – sorry mum.

"You still need quite a big gap in that last kilometres because the guys that are sprinting just lift the pace so much.

"They’re doing 60kph to your 50kph. It was pretty heartbreaking them coming around me with 50 to100 metres to go.”