Le Tour de Yorkshire; well not quite, but in 2014 the top cyclists in the world will be pedalling their way down the streets of Yorkshire. 2012 has been a momentous year for British cycling, with the marvellous victory of Bradley Wiggins in this year’s Tour de France, and the tremendous successes of our cyclists at the London Olympics. Today it has been announced that Yorkshire will host the Grand Depart of the 2014 Tour de France, a privilege for the county which caps off a remarkable year for the development of the sport in Britain.
The Tour de France is the pinnacle of world cycling, and for the area to be able to hold the first two stages of the 2014 event demonstrates the growing passion and enthusiasm for cycling in our area, and will only further boost the profile of the sport. Yorkshire fended off competition from Edinburgh and Florence for the honour of this role.
In 2012 Liege had the privilege of setting the scene for the start of the gruelling three week slog, and the last time a stage was held in Britain was in 2007, when the top cyclists from around the world commenced the tour from London. This will be the fourth time the tour has visited Britain, and with national interest in cycling at an all time high, it looks likely to attract millions of spectators to line the roads of Yorkshire.
The Tour will start in Leeds on 5th July, with the first two stages being raced around Yorkshire, before the third stage will head south and finish in London. Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, the group behind the county’s bid, told the BBC: “Today is a proud day for everyone involved in the bid and the county as a whole. We are honoured that the race organisers have selected Yorkshire to be the host location of the 2014 Grand Depart.”
The event will coincide with a festival of cycling and arts which is planned to be held, and on 17th January more detailed plans will be revealed about the exact route that the Tour will take through Yorkshire on the 5th and 6th July. The event may be eighteen months away, but after the success of London 2012 this is another opportunity for the British Public to witness some of the world’s top sportsmen in action.
On hearing the decision president of British Cycling Brian Cookson said to BBC Sport: “Like every other cycling fan, I am thrilled the world’s biggest bike race is coming back to this country. I’m sure Yorkshire will give the 2014 Tour de France a welcome which will stand out in the race’s rich history.” Its official the greatest cycling contest in the world is coming to Yorkshire.