Gale force winds set to batter Tour of Britain bunch on Monday

The Tour of Britain peloton is set to be hit by 60mph gale force winds on Monday's second stage from Kendal to Blackpool.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning on Sunday morning, with most of the country under "yellow alert".

It's more bad weather news for the Tour of Britain bunch, which was already left sodden and shivering from a four-houle deluge and biting headwind in today's opener.

The big teams were vigilant for echelons in the closing 20 kilometres, but the roads weren't exposed enough to damage.

Despite the relatively-flat route tomorrow, they will be watchful again, with HTC-Highroad directeur sportif Brian Holm saying that the high winds suited their squad.

Race director Mick Bennett confirmed to CW this afternoon that the stage would go ahead as planned.

However, the organisation is monitoring the situation closely. He warned that, if it pans out as those in Blackpool expect, the finish set-up and gantry would be a skeleton version, without advertising, branding, inflatables and the other add-ons "in order to run a safe stage".

Related linksCavendish takes Tour of Britain openerTour of Britain 2011: Cycling Weekly's coverage index