A firm supplying clothing for cycling clubs has been praised for its part in bringing the Tour de France to Yorkshire.
ForceGB, based at Liversedge, worked with tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire in its successful bid for the region to host Le Grand Depart.
The first two stages of the famous cycling event will be in Yorkshire on July 5 and 6 next year, including a daunting stage through Calderdale, Huddersfield and the Holme Valley.
Early in the bid process, ForceGB was asked to produce cycling jerseys emblazoned with the words “Back le Bid” as part of Welcome to Yorkshire’s initial campaign.
In the closing stages of the bid last November, the firm designed, manufactured and supplied jerseys for a large number of cyclists to wear during the Mayor’s Parade in London – bringing news of Yorkshire’s success in landing Le Tour to crowds on the route and to a UK-wide TV audience.
Kirklees Mayor Clr Martyn Bolt, himself a keen cyclist, visited the firm’s Knowler Lane premises with local councillor Graham Hall to thank owners Graham and Carolann Beales for their efforts.
Mr Beales said: “We like to think we have played a small part in the success of the bid. Bringing the Tour to Yorkshire will generate massive interest and will be great for the region in general. Everyone, not just businesses, can get a big boost from it.”
ForceGB is the cycling clothing arm of Stag Sports Group, which makes the Stag brand of rugby kits and supplies a large number of local rugby clubs.
Mr Beales said the company, which employs 10 people, had been operating for more than 30 years, but had only been involved in cycling for the past seven years.
“We were solely a rugby kits manufacturer but got into cycling when another brand wanted a UK-based manufacturer.” he said. “After a year or two, we decided to manufacture cycling gear for ourselves.”
Said Mr Beales: “The cycling part of the business is experiencing some healthy growth, partly because cycling as a participation sport is increasing in popularity.
“There are more people joining cycling clubs. The success of GB in the Olympics has helped and the Tour coming to Yorkshire has highlighted cycling even more.
“A lot of the cycling clubs we supply with custom-designed kit are now asking us to produce commemorative one-off 2014 Tour de France jerseys.”
Clr Bolt said: “One of my mayoral duties is to be an ambassador promoting local businesses and it is a delight to visit a firm which has been so responsive. As a small firm, Graham and his team have been able to complete small runs with a fast turnaround whether working on the Tour bid or for a local cycling club.”
