On 5th July 2014 198 professional bike riders lined up on The Headrow ,close to Leeds Town Hall, for the start of stage 1 0f the Tour de France. So began Yorkshires love affair with cycling. Hundreds of thousands of people lined the roads for the two days the event was in Gods own country and their enthusiasm and support surprised both organisers and riders alike. Villages and town en route had spent weeks preparing, yellow painted bikes were everywhere, the bunting was out and cycling related art installations were in the fields. Travelling the route today some of the yellow bikes are still there. It led to the race director Christian Prudhomme describing it as “the grandest of Grand Departs.”
The following year The Tour de Yorkshire began as a three day legacy event and attracted some of the top world professional teams and the support from the people of the county was no less enthusiastic. Now in its fourth year it has been extended to a four day stage race for men and a two day race for women. The final stage of the mens raced finished back in Leeds, only a few metres from the start line of the 2014 Tour. In many ways cycling in Yorkshire has come full circle.
It has been estimated that over 2.5 million people watched the 2018 race during its four day duration. The crowds at the finish were loud and vocal hours before the riders arrived as they gave support to the hundreds of amateur cyclists that had completed the Maserati Tour De Yorkshire sportive.
Huge screens enabled spectators to watch the race as it developed over the roads of west Yorkshire. The arrival of the publicity caravan an hour before the riders added to the already great atmosphere on the finish line.
The final stage was won by Stephane Rossetto who broke away from the main peloton early in the stage and rode for 120Km on his own to claim victory. He had built up a lead of over nine minutes during the stage but this as gradually whittled down and he crossed the finish line with only 34 seconds to spare.
The overall race was one by Greg Van Avermaet who finished second on the stage
As the 2018 tour comes to an end we hear that discussions are underway to bring the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) to Yorkshire. I am sure that this is an excellent move for both parties. Fingers crossed and lets hope that it happens soon.