Huddersfield sporting stars of the future felt Tour de France glory first hand when they became the first in the region to lift the Grand Depart trophy.
Several youngsters from Huddersfield New College got up close and personal to the iconic award when it arrived in town as excitement for the Yorkshire leg of the race notches up a gear.
And fellow students at Holmfirth High School also got involved as the prestigious trophy went on its own “tour” of the region.
Created by the Amaury Sport Organisation ahead of the first leg of the world famous event in 2013 in Corsica, the trophy will eventually be lifted by the winner of this year’s two day 242 mile dash through the county.
Fashioned in a striking metal design, it will stay in the area for two days as part of its tour around the key locations around the county that have made this year’s leg of the race possible.
The trophy is held each year by the area or city in the country hosting the start of the legendary cycle event.
Mayor of Kirklees and avid cyclist, Martyn Bolt, cycled to meet pupils and young racing stars , Gabriel Cullaigh and Levi Moody, principal Angela Williams and staff member Lee Speight in the college’s new sports barn, to raise the weighty prize above their heads.
Ms Williams, said: “We were proud to be chosen as one of only two hosts in the area for the Grand Depart trophy.
“It recognises the talent within Huddersfield New College and our future professional cyclists and possible Olympic gold medal hopefuls.”
Enrichment and Engagement Manager, Lee, said: “It was fantastic to have an iconic sporting trophy here and hopefully Levi or Gabriel will be lifting the winning trophy in future years.”
Clr Bolt, who is also the councillor for Mirfield, cycled again to Holmfirth High School to meet the trophy when it made its entrance there.
He said: “The Tour de France is a fabulous event and the excitement here is already rising.
“Being able to see the Grand Départ trophy itself will hopefully inspire more people to get involved and come to support the race as it comes through the area in July.”
Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Gary Verity, said: “It’s wonderful to see Yorkshire inscribed on this impressive trophy and our county associated with the Tour.
“It also brings home the fact that the Tour de France really is coming and we are just months away from a historic moment for Yorkshire and its people.”
Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news .
Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here , the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here
To follow us on Twitter click here
