THERE were delighted celebrations last night as Yorkshire looked ahead to the Tour de France.
Many were ecstatic as the route was unveiled to include Holme Moss – tipped as the pinnacle of the Yorkshire stages.
Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney said he could already picture the world’s cycling elite coming down Holme Moss.
He said: “Fantastique! It’s an incredible thought that the Tour will come right past where we live and work.
“It’s important that we bring it all together and boost tourism, pubs and restaurants.
“It’s already creating a ‘feel good factor’ and there have been thousands of ‘Le Tour Makers’ sign up to volunteer.”
He said he has set up a cross-party group with other Yorkshire MPs to ensure they do give their support for the event.
He added: “The Holme Moss stretch will be the pinnacle of the Yorkshire route and crowds will have a fantastic view of cyclists. It will be the thing which everyone is talking about.”
Click here to view an animated route map of the Tour de France in our area
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said: “I’m delighted with the news.
“We have all worked very hard to get the Tour to Yorkshire.
“Anyone who has been to France to see the Tour, as I have, knows what a spectacle it is. It is a real opportunity to be involved in the fastest growing sport in the world, to promote this area and to have a wonderful party.”
And local cycling clubs are already seeing a massive influx in members as the affects of the Olympics 2012, Bradley Wiggins winning The Tour, and now The Tour coming to Yorkshire.
Huddersfield Star Wheelers’ official Andrew Pearson, said: “To have the Tour coming to Huddersfield, Holmfirth and Holme Moss – it just doesn’t get much better than that!
“It’s like the Olympics coming to your village or town, its going to be incredible to watch.
“There will be crowds everywhere.”
He added: “For a Huddersfield cycling club we are seeing record numbers particularly this winter.
“Since the Olympics we have gone up from 120 to 187 members.”
The Yorkshire bid has had the support of many top cyclists.
They include former Holme Valley Wheeler and Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy and Mirfield’s Brian Robinson, the first Briton to win a stage of the Tour de France in 1958.
A video of Robinson’s Tour cycling achievements was shown to packed crowds at Leeds Town Hall last night and the man himself got a great ovation.
Mr Robinson, who attended the event, said: “It’s the biggest sporting event in the world so that’s got to be something – to see it on our roads,” he said.
Despite being in his 80s, he has vowed to stay on his bike until at least 2014.
Clr Martyn Bolt, a cyclist and deputy Mayor of Kirklees: “It will be fantastic for the whole of the area. It will give Kirklees a worldwide platform and not only for cyclists.
“There is a chance for Kirklees to shine on the biggest stage there is and a huge draw for tourists.
“We need to make the most of it so that when the TV cameras following the race beam the pictures across the world, the Huddersfield and Kirklees areas are at their best.”
Calderdale Council’s Leader, Clr Tim Swift, said: “We are thrilled that this fantastic sporting event is coming to Calderdale.
“It will put the borough’s spectacular cycling routes and proud cycling heritage on the world stage, and will bring great benefits to the area.”
Yorkshire route
Day 1
Leeds - Harewood - Otley - Ilkley - Skipton - Kettlewell - Aysgarth - Hawes - Reeth - Leyburn - Ripon - Harrogate
Day 2
York - Knaresborough - Silsden - Keighley - Haworth - Hebden Bridge - Elland - Huddersfield - Holmfirth - Sheffield
