Emilia was the lucky winner of the Design the Starting Flag competition, which saw her wave off some of the world’s most famous cyclists at West Bridgford using the flag she designed.

Emilia’s school held a special assembly on the day so that her friends and teachers could watch her moment of glory live on television.

She said: ​“It was exciting to wave the flag for the start of the race, especially being able to watch all the riders. I was very proud to wave the flag because it was my own design, and it was great to see how it had been made.”

Creative Emilia won the competition after a public vote across the Nottinghamshire County Council’s social media platforms, before Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities at the council, chose a winner from a shortlist of six.

He said: ​“The quality of entries for the competition was fantastic, and it was extremely difficult for me to select a winner from the shortlist, but Emilia’s entry stood out from the rest with her eye-catching design. It must have been an extremely proud moment for her family watching on as she officially started the stage in West Bridgford and something they and Emilia will remember for the rest of their lives.”

As well as officially starting the race, lucky Emilia will also keep her professionally made flag, and will receive a special invitation for her and her class to visit one of the Notts Outdoors day centres to take part in an environmental education activity. Emilia has also won a special Robin Hood-themed tour of the iconic Sherwood Forest.

Robyn won the Design the Winning Trophy competition and was invited to join the presentation ceremony in Mansfield. She watched as stage five winner, Belgian rider Jordi Meeus, of the BORA – Hansgrohe team, received the trophy she had designed.

Delighted, Robyn said: ​“I was nervous and happy when I went on stage for the presentation. It’s been very exciting. It’s been one of the best days of my life. You don’t get to do something like this every single day of your life. I have never won anything like this, either so I was really excited and shocked when I found out I had won because I didn’t think I would win.”

Councillor John Cottee, added: ​“What a fantastic experience for Robyn to be on stage when the winning trophy was presented to the winner. I can’t imagine how proud her mum must have felt watching on during the presentation ceremony. It will be a day they will never forget, and I would like to congratulate Robyn on winning the competition – something she thoroughly deserved.”

Robyn won a replica of the trophy she designed, as well as VIP tickets to the finish line and a family adventure golf ticket at Rufford Abbey.

Read more about the Arc Partnership sponsored School Pack here.