Tour De France Guest Blog by VisitHarrogate.co.uk
The small town of Harrogate doesn’t see too much in terms of major events, I mean our biggest claim to fame was the Eurovision Song Contest that was held here back in 1982. This event however is arguably much bigger, a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the best cyclists in the world. The Tour de France one of the world’s major cycling events is passing through town, this is a great opportunity to take your children along to see a major sporting event at the end of your street. Even if cycling isn’t your thing this will be a once in a life time experience to share with the whole family and watch history being made.
For the first time in the competitions history it will be Tour De France Yorkshire. The world recognised and famous annual biking race will for the third time in its history, since starting in 1903 come to the United Kingdom, however prior to this year the tour would of never been outside of London. The first stage of the competition starts on Saturday 5th July in Leeds and ends in our little town Harrogate that Saturday evening!
Usually consisting of 20-22 teams with each team having nine riders each means that 180-198 of the world best bikers will be passing by a road near you. On the 5th the tour will make its way into the market town of Masham within Harrogate & District after making their way through the Yorkshire Dales, as they start passing through Ripon slowly beginning to realise that the day is coming to an end they will give it their all to race down the A61 as they make their way into Harrogate. The day will finish after a short climb to Flamme Rouge and a final push down Ripon Road past the Royal Baths and across the Stray where the race will finally finish.
One racer that you will need to look out for is Mark Cavendish, one of the race favourites who has everything to compete for with his mother coming from Harrogate a win here is said to mean a lot to him.
The next day the race will pick up again in York and they will head towards Harrogate for a second time but this time coming from the Knaresborough direction making their way through Starbeck and then briefly again through Harrogate and then leaving the district.
Just to have this competition in the town is a massive achievement and testament to what Harrogate has to offer. We urge you if you are local to the area to walk out your front door and watch the riders go past.
