‘The Tour de France elevated Leeds and Yorkshire to a platform it has never been on before’
THE reaction to the report that establishes the economic, sporting and cultural impact of the Grand Départ of the 2014 Tour de France has been enthusiastic and unequivocal, both in Yorkshire and nationally.
The weekend of cycling was worth an initial £102m to the Yorkshire region after attracting 3.3m spectators to the region last July.
Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Keith Wakefield focused on the public support which elevated the profile of the event and the region to a level higher than organisers had dared to hope for.
He said: “Hosting the start of the Tour de France elevated Leeds and Yorkshire to a platform it has never been on before. The key to its success was the way the public supported the event in such numbers and with such passion they made it a truly remarkable weekend no-one who saw it will ever forget.”
Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of TdFHUB2014 Ltd, which was the not-for-profit company that was responsible for the event outside London, was equally thrilled by the event’s success.
“The three opening stages of the 2014 Tour de France confirmed the UK’s reputation for staging world-class sporting events with a world-class level of organisational flair,” he said. “It was a great privilege to have been part of it.”
Politicians were also keen to add their voice to the chorus of approval, led by sports minister Helen Grant.
“The Tour de France in the UK was an incredible success and once again showcased how well we put on major sporting events in this country,” she said.
“It was fantastic to see such huge crowds supporting the race in Yorkshire, Cambridge, Essex and London. It showed the passion Britain has for cycling and will have inspired many to take up the sport as well as giving a significant economic boost to the host regions.”
The impact on interest and participation in cycling was one of the most impressive elements for Bob Howden, the president of British Cycling.
He said: “The three UK stages set a new standard not just in terms of the amazing support but also because it inspired so many people, young and old, to get on their bikes.”
