May Bank Holiday weekend saw the return of Yorkshire’s premier cycling race the Tour de Yorkshire.
Stage 1 set off on Friday with a 186km stretch from Beverley in East Yorkshire to the Dales market town of Settle. Olympic medalist and former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins started the race but sadly crashed and was unable to take further part in the race.
Stage two went from the famous market town of Otley to the South Yorkshire town of Doncaster.
Otley also was the start point of the Women’s race sponsored by ASDA which was the highest prize pot for a women. Otley’s own world champion cyclist Lizzie Armistead was hot favourite but unfortunately was beaten by a sprint finish at the end by winner Kirsten Wild.
Sunday saw the final stage from the Teesside town of Middlesborough to the seaside town of Scarborough finishing on the seafront promenade. The overall winner of the Mens 3 day race was Thomas Voeckler from France representing the team Direct Energie.
It is hoped that from 2017 that the Tour de Yorkshire may become a 4 day race- lets hope so as it really captures the imagination of this great county with towns and villages on the route covered in bunting and yellow bikes, with the streets lined with cheering, flag waving spectators.
