Tickets released for the York start of the Tour de France

Free tickets for the start of the York leg of the Tour de France go up for grabs tomorrow, Thursday January 23, at 9am.

Le Grand Départ starts at York Racecourse on Sunday, July 6, 2014. Tickets to see the riders set off are to be released by City of York Council via the racecourse website, yorkracecourse.co.uk.

Although free to attend everyone wanting to see the elite cyclists off will need a ticket.

As the event is expected to be very popular, there is a limit of four tickets per address so that everyone has a chance to apply.

On the day

Spectators will be able to watch from the York Racecourse stands. They will be able to watch the spectacle of the pre-race caravan and then the cyclists set off for the second stage.

The leading riders will be presented to the crowds before they head into York and start the competitive racing.

Ticket holders can make a day of it at the racecourse as giant screens and hundreds of televisions will show all the action from the tour itself as it heads towards the day’s finish in Sheffield.

“The city really knows how to stage a memorable spectacle and the honour of staging this event at the racecourse will be no exception,” said William Derby, chief executive of York Racecourse.

“To watch the competitors set off, the facilities of the main stands and the viewing steps will be available and, if necessary, offering some wet weather cover.”

Camping available

Another website, letour.york.gov.uk, is to offer camping packages, parking and merchandise for the York section of the tour from Thursday, January 22.

There are three camping options:

Monk Stray A temporary festival-style campsite at Monk Stray will accommodate caravans, motorhomes and tents

McArthurGlen York Designer Outlet A “Parisian Glamping Experience” will be offered on a field next to the shopping centre. Up for hire are bell tents for up to ten people including mattresses, pillows, lanterns and rugs

Millennium Bridge A riverside campsite next to the bridge and Rowntree Park will feature entertainment, fun fairs, stalls and big screen during the Tour de France weekend

Full details and access instructions for all sites will be issued with camping tickets in June.

Advanced parking on sale

Road closures are likely to be widespread, both to make way for the Tour de France competitors and to allow for street parties and other entertainment.

There are two sites earmarked for advance parking:

The former Park & Ride car park on Tadcaster Road – to book parking here, go to letouryork.com

At York Racecourse – to book parking here, go to yorkracecourse.co.uk

Sporting celebration

York councillor Sonja Crisp, in charge of the city’s leisure and tourism, said the city was to pull out all the stops for Le Grand Départ.

“Hosted in such a beautiful and vibrant city, we want people to stay and make the most of a summer weekend of entertainment, sport and the fantastic facilities York has to offer,” she said.

“As a celebration of sport, many local clubs will be offering taster sessions and displays throughout the day as part of a carnival atmosphere complete with a full programme of family-focused entertainment – plenty for everyone to get involved and have an amazing experience.”

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• See also York Tour de France route announced: street by street guide
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