At Wimbledon, Murray Mound was crammed with fans eager to watch on the big screen as Novak Djokovic, the top seed, reclaimed the Wimbledon title he last won in 2011. The hill was so full that the All England Club stopped issuing ground passes to those without Centre Court tickets at midday.
Some 80 miles north, a crowd of more than 120,000 watched Hamilton’s victory. The win, the first on his home track since 2008, helped him close the gap at the top of the drivers’ championship from 29 points to only four. The home crowd was ecstatic as the Mercedes driver came from sixth on the grid after Nico Rosberg was forced to retire halfway through the race.
In Yorkshire, every inch of space along the route was occupied by cycling enthusiasts and locals who knew nothing of the sport but were eager not to miss out.
Spectators had to be warned after repeatedly straying on to the road, so keen were they to capture photographs.
Some riders warned that “selfies” were a huge danger as people stood in the road with their backs to the oncoming cyclists to take shots of themselves in front of the peloton.
Geraint Thomas, a Team Sky rider, said: “The worst thing is when people have got their back to the peloton taking selfies. They don’t see us coming, they’re stood in the road and it’s dodgy. People need to realise we take up the whole road. It’s the new pain in the a–––.”
Yorkshire recouped the cost of hosting the event as viewers across the world were treated to the kind of advertising tourism officials dream of, as the riders sped through some of the county’s most renowned landmarks.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made the most of the day’s sport. They were at the start line of the tour in Leeds on Saturday, before travelling back to London and the royal box at Wimbledon.
During the match, the Duchess politely applauded both players, but made no secret of where her support lay. At one point, when Federer double-faulted, she put her head in her hands.
Concerns about the weather proved ill-founded and the Centre Court roof remained open as Djokovic beat Roger Federer 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4.
Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his men's singles final match against Roger Federer (AFP)
Federer was watched by his four-year-old twin daughters, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose, who appeared to find it hard to watch their father’s defeat in a four-hour match. Their appearance was greeted with “ahhs” from the crowds.
After the match, Federer said he was glad of the Duke and Duchess’s support. “They were very sweet to comfort me and wish me well,” he said. “Clearly it makes me very happy to see them being supportive of my game and of tennis.”
He also pre-empted questions about his retirement by insisting: “I have enjoyed myself a lot – see you next year.”
Djokovic dedicated his win to his fiancée and their baby she is expecting.
“I am going to become a father soon and I am still preparing for that. To my family and my team for sacrificing a lot of their lives to allow me to live the dream, and to my first coach, Jelena Gencic, who taught me everything about playing tennis and how to behave.
“Unfortunately she passed away last year but this is for her.”
Also in the royal box were David Beckham, the former England captain, and his wife, Victoria. Sir Chris Hoy, the retired track cyclist, made clear which sport he would rather watch as he, too, took a seat in the box, as did Samuel L Jackson, Hugh Jackman and Bradley Cooper, the actors.
Murray’s mother, Judy, chose not to watch Djokovic claim her son’s title. Asked whether she would be watching, she replied: “No, I’m going shopping.”
She was, it seems, in the minority. And the action continues on Monday, when the tour riders embark on their final British stage, from Cambridge to London.
It may be the pride of the republic, but Britons will see the tour off from outside Buckingham Palace.