Yorkshire’s most decorated track cyclist Ed Clancy MBE has been announced as Yorkshire Building Society’s Ambassador of the Tour de France 2014 Grand Départ.

The double Olympic and five-time world champion has saddled up to show his backing for the Society’s role as an Official Supporter of the Grand Départ.

Ed, 29, formerly of Upperthong, has been cycling since he was five years old after his father bought him his first bike, and at 15 he was spotted whilst attending a talent spotting cycling event. Ed was then part of the first ever intake to the National Cycling Academy, which included other stars such as Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish.

Ed said: “The Tour de France Grand Depart will be one of the biggest sporting events ever seen in Yorkshire and it will be great for cycling across the region and the UK.

I’ll certainly be watching the world’s best bike race. The second stage passes within 100 metres of my front door. I’m planning on sitting in my back garden and watching the race go past and watching the other boys sweating it out for a change.”

“The Tour De France coming to Yorkshire is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our sport to a wider audience and I’m sure the public will love it as a spectacle and a competition. I’m proud to be working with Yorkshire Building Society as an Ambassador for their sponsorship of the Tour de France Grand Départ 2014, and can’t wait to welcome the race to Yorkshire.”

Chris Pilling, chief executive of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “We are delighted to have one of Yorkshire’s most famous cyclists as our Ambassador for the world’s largest annual sporting event right here in our heartland.

“As an organisation that was founded in Huddersfield 150 years ago, we are very proud to be an Official Supporter of the Tour de France 2014 Grand Départ and Ed’s enthusiasm for his role reflects everyone’s excitement as the race draws near.

“With a global audience of over three billion people, I am sure that the Grand Départ will be an overwhelming success for the region and that our people, customers and members of the public will get fully behind the event and show the world what Yorkshire has to offer.”

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to not just welcome Yorkshire Building Society but also the great Ed Clancy as supporters of Yorkshire’s Grand Départ.

“The Tour de France will shine a global spotlight onto our county and it is a terrific chance to showcase the world-class talent and businesses that we have in Yorkshire like Ed and Yorkshire Building Society. We look forward to working them when we host the world’s largest free sporting event.”

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