The Tour de Yorkshire comes to York – video, pix and tweets

2 May 2015 @ 9.42 pm
| Sport

Blimey, they don’t hang about. Bradley Wiggins and co zipped round York twice in double-quick time as the Tour de Yorkshire brought the cream of the cycle racing world back to the city.

Thanks to impressive organisation, an army of cheerful stewards and a fleet of high-fiving police motorcycle outriders, the event was a massive success to rival last year’s visit of the Tour de France.

In some ways the Tour de Yorkshire surpassed that event. Last year the Peloton completed a processional ride around the city centre before the competition proper began beyond the ring road.

This time they were racing before our eyes. And because the riders completed two, much longer circuits of the city, we saw a lot more of them along a longer route.

Thousands came out on to the streets to cheer them on at the end of Stage 2 of the race. Having started from Selby Abbey hours and 174km earlier, the stage was won by Dutchman Moreno Hofland in a sprint finish.

Earlier Louise Mahe had triumphed in the women’s race, which took place over four laps of a 20km circuit.

Chief executive of City of York Council Kersten England summed up the day:

What a day to remember! I couldn’t be more proud of the city my colleagues and I serve, the people who live here and the businesses based here.

York has once again been shown at its best to millions of people around the world. I want to thank all the staff involved from the council, the emergency services and region-wide partners who’ve worked together to make this day so special.

To have such a prestigious inaugural women’s race staged here also today is another boost for the real legacy of this race – getting more people to cycle more often in York and across the region.

Gallery: incredible sportsmen and women

Everyone wants a picture…
Everyone wants a picture…
Riding on the Pavement
Riding on the Pavement
Pedalling down Peasholme Green
Pedalling down Peasholme Green
The leaders round the corner on Foss Bank
The leaders round the corner on Foss Bank
With the chasing pack not far behind
With the chasing pack not far behind

Tweets: The excitement builds

The women went first

Then the men hit town

There were parties on Bishy Road…

…And on Fossgate

The winners acclaimed

 

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