Yorkshire interested to host the Tour de France in 2016
Yorkshire has shown interest in hosting the opening stage of the Tour de France 2016. The management is planning to direct the cyclists through a number of cities across Europe.
Tour de France organisers, Amaury Sport Organisation will visit Yorkshire in May to make a final decision on the issue.
The Chief Executive of the regional tourist bid, Gary Verity briefed to the York Press, “We are making a series of pitches which will culminate in a big meeting in two months to try to persuade the organisers that Yorkshire is the place for them”.
Tour de France is one of the oldest cycling race with its first edition held back in 1903. The cyclists ride across a gruelling distance of more than 3,600 kilometres in three week’s time.
It is one of the most anticipated cycling events and is also termed as one of the most prestigious cycling event of the year.
Belgian cyclist, Eddy Merckx holds the honour of winning the maximum number of 34 Tour stages throughout his career.
Bernard Hainault and Andre Leducq of France are at the second and the third positions with 28 and 25 stages to their credit.
Mark Cavendish (20), Robbie McEwen (12) and Thor Hushovd (10) are the current three cyclists in the peloton with the maximum number of stage victories.
James Alexander is the Council leader for the City of York and he is optimistic that hosting the Tour de France inaugural stage will be a great step forward for all the York citizens.
He noted, “Yorkshire would be a beautiful backdrop, offering so much in terms of outstanding scenery as well as the necessary infrastructure”.
"Hosting a section of the race would give Yorkshire a global audience of more than 80 million and provide a huge boost to the region's visitor economy. I will be doing all I can to bring the event not just to Yorkshire, but to York," James concluded.
The proposed course will go through the cities of Scarborough, the Yorkshire Dales, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York.
Berlin, Venice, Barcelona and Scotland are also intending to bid the start of the race.
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