Dutch triumph in Women's Tour of Britain in Essex
![PA Media Lorena Wiebes](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/14D33/production/_120899258_fc12af72-233a-44c2-936e-bfcdd8c040a6.jpg.webp)
The fourth stage of the Women's Tour of Britain has seen 78 cyclists race through Essex.
The 73-mile (117.8km) leg took them from Shoeburyness to Southend-on-Sea.
Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes, 22, claimed her first stage victory with a sprint finish.
Rolling road closures were in place along the route and more are expected as stage five begins on Friday in Colchester, finishing in Clacton-on-Sea.
Andy Hawes, the route director, said of the many roadblocks: "100% rider safety - that has to be our priority.
"The women that are riding, this is their job and everybody has to have a safe workplace - it just so happens that racing is their workplace."
![PA Media Lorena Wiebes](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/D803/production/_120899255_523e8f7b-f616-4c29-a5a1-7c01893f0335.jpg.webp)
![PA Media Lorena Wiebes](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/189B/production/_120899260_80ba3a69-4e5d-4a45-b90c-671a65667620.jpg.webp)
The race started at 11:00 BST and the route was lined by spectators who described it as "exciting" and said it was "lovely to have it on our doorstep".
A little under three hours later, Lorena Wiebes said her victory was "a great feeling".
"I really aimed for a win in this tour, so I'm really happy with it."