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Yorkshire to host Tour de France in 2014... stage finish in London too

World's most prestigious race to return to UK...

Yorkshire has been awarded the Grand Départ of the 2014 Tour de France, the first time the North of England has hosted the race. The first two stages will take place in Yorkshire followed by a third in the South of England, finishing in London, before heading across the Channel to France. Full details will be revealed at press conferences to be jointly held in Leeds and Paris on 17 January.

It's the fourth time cycling's biggest race has come to the UK - the last was when London hosted the Grand Depart in 2007 - and the Yorkshire bid saw off a competing one that would have seen the event start in Edinburgh before heading south through England and Wales to the Channel.

The inclusion of that third stage in the South of England within the Yorkshire plans is likely to have been a response to that. Previously, the Yorkshire bid focused on two stages within the county itself, starting in Leeds and also taking in places such as Sheffield, Hull, York and Scarborough as well as some of the region's spectacular scenery.

Leeds will be host the build-up to the race, which will start on 5 July 2014, and Councillor Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council said: “We are honoured that Leeds has been chosen to be the host city of the 2014 Grand Départ.

"Leeds has a proud racing and riding history so it will be wonderful to welcome the biggest cycle race of them all to the heart of our vibrant city centre, inspire a new generation of Yorkshire cyclists to compete on the world stage and leave a lasting cycling legacy for the city.”

The bid was co-ordinated by Welcome to Yorkshire, which launched a major PR offensive during this year's race, won of course by Bradley WIggins, including putting full-page adverts in L'Equipe.

The agency's chief executive, Gary Verity, said: Today is a proud day for everyone involved in the bid and the county as a whole. We are honoured that the race organisers, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), have selected Yorkshire to be the host location of the 2014 Grand Départ.

“It will mean less than two years after hosting the Olympics the British public can look forward to another of the world’s biggest sporting events coming to the country, and I am in no doubt they will come to Yorkshire in their millions, lining the length and breadth of the route to cheer on the champions of world cycling and our home grown British heroes.

“Yorkshire is a passionate county of proud people and I am sure they will guarantee that their Grand Départ raises the bar in terms of expectations for all future hosts to come.”

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme commented: “Since the resounding success of the Grand Départ in London in 2007, we were very keen to return to the United Kingdom.

"Bradley Wiggins’ historical victory last July and the enormous crowds that followed the cycling events in the streets of London during the Olympic Games encouraged us to go back earlier than we had initially planned.

"Yorkshire is a region of outstanding beauty, with breathtaking landscapes whose terrains offer both sprinters and attackers the opportunity to express themselves.

"We have encountered a phenomenal desire from the Yorkshire team to welcome the Tour de France and have no doubt that passion and support will be particularly evident for the Grand Départ of the Tour de France 2014.”

That competing Scottish-led bid, unlike the Yorkshire one, had the support of British Cycling. However, the organisation's president, Brian Cookson, welcomed the prospect of the race returning to Great Britain.

"Like every other cycling fan, I am thrillled the world's biggest bike race is coming back to this country," he said.

"The huge numbers who turned out to support the 2007 Grand Depart and the London 2012 road races show the passion we have for cycling.

"I'm sure Yorkshire will give the 2014 Tour de France a welcome which will stand out in the race's rich history."

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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59 comments

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FMOAB | 11 years ago
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Congratulations to Yorkshire, Edinburgh would have been more convenient for me, but perhaps there was a concern about wheels getting caught in the tram lines.  19

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road slapper | 11 years ago
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England or Scotland, i'm just glad that the UK was chosen for the Grand Départ. I'm sure the other contenders, Florence, Barcelona and Lille are gutted  19

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Simon E | 11 years ago
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I've already told my wife that I'll be booking a day off work and my kids may skip school. It will be an "educational" trip, of course.
 3

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Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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Something about agreeing to support each other against attack from England.

We sent them sheep and they gave us wine.....something like that, remembering, its been many years since I did history aged 12

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badback | 11 years ago
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I was watching BBC Look Leeds this evening and they reckon day 1 (July 5th) is going to be Leeds to Scarborough and day 2 (July 6th) is going to be York to Sheffield.

If this is true (which it may not be) that will mean no prologue and a TDF finish twelve miles up the road from me.

Bring it on !

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Gkam84 replied to badback | 11 years ago
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badback wrote:

they reckon day 1 (July 5th) is going to be Leeds to Scarborough

Now I'm even more pee'd off, because on July 5th 1295, The Scottish and France made some sort of pack against England.......  19  19  19

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badback replied to Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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It didn't involve bicycles and the seaside did it ?  39

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wheelsucker | 11 years ago
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Whats a "historical win"?
 39

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Leviathan replied to wheelsucker | 11 years ago
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wheelsucker wrote:

Whats a "historical win"?
 39

It means we an be confident it will still be on wikipedia in 10 years times. That is unless Wiggo receives a special gift hamper from the Spanish federation for Christmas.

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wheelsucker replied to Leviathan | 11 years ago
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bikeboy76 wrote:
wheelsucker wrote:

Whats a "historical win"?
 39

It means we an be confident it will still be on wikipedia in 10 years times. That is unless Wiggo receives a special gift hamper from the Spanish federation for Christmas.

Oh thanks it should be hysterical  19

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chrisc | 11 years ago
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Can't believe T'Tour is coming to my own back yard!  4

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Stumps | 11 years ago
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Absolutely brilliant news, lets hope they go up Sutton Bank as my bro lives at the top.

Commiserations to Scotland though as i believe one of the stages was planned to finish in the toon which is even closer.

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Chris James | 11 years ago
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I'm up for that. Actually, it would probbaly fit in nicely with the UCIs new World series idea ... albeit that the World |Series is a rubbish proposal otherwise!

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SideBurn | 11 years ago
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That is good news Sam1; I did not realise how lucky I was to have a track a few miles up the road from me. Where I live now the nearest track is 125 miles away. I cannot understand why there is not one in Britol or surrounding areas? There is one planned for Torbay but that is still 85 miles away for me.

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SideBurn | 11 years ago
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Sorry Gkam84  20 Us amateurs with just a few hundred posts. I will try to get a grip!

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Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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I think someone needs to teach people how to remove previous quotes.....This page is massive with only a few comments  19

I don't know, I think the velodrome will be staying, is it not to host some more races next year?

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The Rumpo Kid replied to Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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Gkam84 wrote:

I think someone needs to teach people how to remove previous quotes.....This page is massive with only a few comments  19

True, but it's nice to see Marty Feldman is not forgotten.

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SideBurn | 11 years ago
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The Olympic Velodrome that Gkam84 mentioned is having 'work' done on it, so I saw in passing on the TV. Anyone know what sort of 'work'? I could not see the whole of the article but they seemed to be taking it, or part of it down? The last olympic velodrome was cut down and moved to an old Airship hangar at Calshot. Apparently at the time someone suggested that it would make a great bonfire!

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Sam1 replied to SideBurn | 11 years ago
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SideBurn wrote:

The Olympic Velodrome that Gkam84 mentioned is having 'work' done on it, so I saw in passing on the TV. Anyone know what sort of 'work'? I could not see the whole of the article but they seemed to be taking it, or part of it down? The last olympic velodrome was cut down and moved to an old Airship hangar at Calshot. Apparently at the time someone suggested that it would make a great bonfire!

Dont think the delay in being able to open it to the public is because of work to the building itself. Its the work around it that's going to mean that it cant open till 2014, because its impossible to create stand-along access to it to stop it being impacted by all the surrounding building work.

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SideBurn | 11 years ago
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That is right Deswahriff; the 'youf of today have no idea. It did not do us any harm!

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badback | 11 years ago
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Anyone care to guess / speculate on the route ?

I wonder if they'll include Le Col du Holme Moss so they dip into Gods own country (Derbyshire) ?

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formereve replied to badback | 11 years ago
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badback wrote:

Anyone care to guess / speculate on the route ?

I wonder if they'll include Le Col du Holme Moss so they dip into Gods own country (Derbyshire) ?

.... then into Glossop and up and down snake pass. THAT I would love

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Squiggle | 11 years ago
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What a crock of s**t! The Edinburgh bid was much better! Any other UK start is just a waste!

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Gkam84 replied to Squiggle | 11 years ago
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Squiggle wrote:

What a crock of s**t! The Edinburgh bid was much better! Any other UK start is just a waste!

 36  36

Someone thats with me, Shame we are both biased Scots from the N/E ..... Alot closer to Edinburgh than Tea country

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Sudor replied to Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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Gkam84][quote=Squiggle wrote:

What a crock of s**t! The Edinburgh bid was much better! Any other UK start is just a waste!

Ahhh - poor Scotties - us Terriers got us TdF bid in early and anyway Yorkshire pud trumps yer miserable neeps! - we'll still welcome you in Yorkshire - just remember to bring t'sun screen and plenty of cash to spend !  4

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Simmo72 | 11 years ago
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Fantastic news, well deserved I'm so glad its gone to Yorkshire (and this is coming from a Southern lad). Great terrain and fans alike. Looking forward to it already. A shame for Scotland as that would also have been a great event. How about a Tour of Scotland when they get their independence?

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timbola | 11 years ago
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Gkam ... we need to get you at the Grand Depart ... now you have your trike all but sorted, you HAVE to be there, 1) to represent Scotland and 2) to represent all that is great about cycling and cyclists in the UK/GB/Ireland whatver-you-want-to-call-it (just trying to be apolitical).

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Gkam84 replied to timbola | 11 years ago
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timbola wrote:

Gkam ... we need to get you at the Grand Depart ... now you have your trike all but sorted, you HAVE to be there, 1) to represent Scotland and 2) to represent all that is great about cycling and cyclists in the UK/GB/Ireland whatver-you-want-to-call-it (just trying to be apolitical).

I'm pretty sure that could be arranged. Hoping to make the ToB this year, especially if Coldeportes get an invite because I've been offered some hospitality with them to any race I can make that they are in

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WolfieSmith | 11 years ago
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What a proud day to be a Yorkshireman.

I'm off to fly me whippets on t' moor in celebration.

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NeilXDavis | 11 years ago
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Well thats put a ray of sunshine through this depressing weather!....well done.... didn't really care if it was Yorkshire or Edinburgh as long as it was UK.

Whoevers ran the Yorkshire bid big pat on the back!.

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