| |
| ||||||||
MEMORIES OF YORKSHIRE NEVER FADE The Grand Départ of the 2014 Tour de France put Yorkshire on the map of cycling. Christian Prudhomme is upfront: "We'll never forget the connection there was between the public and the race that day". The stars of the competition agree. "Racing in Yorkshire is beyond words", says last year's winner Thomas Voeckler. "The crowds are amazing. We get the goosebumps just from riding past." Its fans are just one of the reasons that make Yorkshire special. "This region is a mix of rain and wind, of steep climbs and technical descents", explains British rider Ian Stannard. "All these things combine to make Yorkshire a region like no other and guarantee a thrilling race until the finish." |
| ||||||||
| |
| ||||||||
ADAM BLYTHE FLIES THE UNION JACK "We're bringing a very strong team to the Tour de Yorkshire", says the British champion. "A mass sprint looks unlikely in the opening stage, but I hope to be in the mix in the second one. I'll give it my best. Winning here, with the national champion's jersey on my shoulders, would be simply unbelievable. The cycling craze in Yorkshire has only got bigger since the Grand Départ of the Tour de France. I hope the crowds will give me that extra oomph and propel me to my first win in these new colours." |
| ||||||||
| |
| ||||||||
THOMAS VOECKLER SAYS GOODBYE TO NUMBER 1 The two-time French champion has made it clear that his career will come to a close when the Tour de France finishes on the Champs-Élysées. Thomas Voeckler is savouring every moment until then, especially at the Tour de Yorkshire. "This'll be the last race of my life wearing number 1. It feels special. I've been relishing every moment since the beginning of the season, but riding here in Yorkshire will be a unique experience. The crowds have always been very warm towards me. I'll never forget the welcome I got here, last year's victory and this famous number 1." |
| ||||||||
| |
| ||||||||
ASDA WOMEN’S TOUR DE YORKSHIRE: RIDING ON EQUAL FOOTING Sir Gary Verity, the chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, has made the importance of equality clear. The women's peloton will tackle the exact same 122.5 km course from Tadcaster to Harrogate as the men's one. "When I saw the stage profile, I knew we were going to suffer", says two-time world champion Giorgia Bronzini. "But I'm happy to see cycling grow like this. The organisers are pouring tonnes of effort into getting us increased media exposure and recognition. It's a commendable effort and I want to underscore that. At Wiggle High5 we'll pull out all the stops to fight for the win." |
| ||||||||
|
| |||||||||
Source: DSG
