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A giant bicycle that appeared in North Devon to celebrate the Tour of Britain has undergone a transformation.

On Monday, thousands lined the streets to cheer on Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, Chris Froome and Devon’s own George Pym in the gruelling race, with locals showing their support for the stars in various ways.

However, after a huge bicycle was placed on Capstone Hill in Ilfracombe, the bike was turned into a giant penis overnight. And it is not the first time the hillside has been used like this.

Although the wheels of the bicycle appear to have stayed in the same place, the handle bars were rearranged…

The bicycle was put in place to highlight the work of Plastic Free North Devon and to promote the district's efforts to be plastic free.

Seth Conway, project co-ordinator, said: "The bike was designed to highlight the great work of the Plastic Free North Devon organisation in helping to clean our beaches and encourage people to cut out single use plastic as much as possible. It was going to have been taken down today anyway but someone got there first. They've shown some creativity but it'll be the bike that's remembered."

Cameron Meyer claimed victory of Stage Two of the Tour of Britain on Monday.

The race began in Cranbrook, but there was drama before the race even began after two cyclists crashed.

After making their way towards Ottery St Mary in the neutral zone, the riders congregated at the official start line in the middle of a narrow lane, a few miles outside of Cranbrook.

But the beginning of the race had to be delayed after a crash between Neilson Powless and Miles Scotson.

Shortly afterwards, the race officially began as the racers made their way through Ottery, where they were greeted by hundreds of locals on the streets as the Devon stage continued.

Thousands of locals lined Devon’s streets as star cyclists such as Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas made their way towards Barnstaple, along with Devon’s own George Pym.

History was made after the race went through a building for the first time ever, with packed crowds inside the South Molton Pannier Market.

(Image: Jon Tucker)

As the race continued through North Devon, the riders were tested to the limit after climbing Challacombe Hill.

(Image: SWPix)

The gruelling section proved a real test for the riders, the brutal 23 per cent incline of Challacombe Hill just 20 kilometres from the finish.

The final 15 kilometres proved to be a thrilling contest, which turned into a two-horse race right until the finish line at The Strand, Barnstaple, but it was the Australian Meyer who triumphed over Alessandro Tonelli to win Stage Two of the Tour of Britain.

Tonelli though moves into the overall lead of the event, with Meyer now in second place ahead of Stage Three, which takes place in Bristol on Tuesday.