MILLIONS lined the route to watch the Tour de Yorkshire – but there was a special treat for the huge television audience.
Viewers around the world were treated to aerial images of giant bicycles and local emblems as they watched the peloton flash through our region’s stunning scenery.
Land art is a common sight on the Tour de France, and came to these shores with the Grand Départ in 2014.
Worldwide audiences have enjoyed imaginative, quirky and humorous artistic displays as the helicopters follow the peloton, with hills, fields, market squares and even car parks and industrial estates brought alive with bursts of colour and creativity.
It’s now a fixture on the Tour de Yorkshire – and there are prizes up for grabs for the best examples, with two from our area making the 2016 shortlist.
Stage 3 took the race from Middlesbrough to Scarborough on Sunday, May 1, and the Welcome to Yorkshire judging panel were particularly impressed by a giant penny farthing picked out in white at Albert Park.
And local artist Bobzilla’s ‘bird on a bike’ artwork at Rudby Hall has also made it onto the 12-strong shortlist. Bobzilla’s creative work is also a popular feature of Baker Street, where the Orange Pip Market launches on the last Saturday of the month.
Public voting is now open until Sunday, May 29. The winner will be announced on June 1.
Thousands turned out on May 1 to watch the riders pedal through the town centre and through Teesside University’s ultra-modern Campus Heart.
From there the 130-plus riders crossed Albert Park before a brief detour through Stewart Park and past the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum on a stage named in honour of the great navigator and explorer.
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “Hosting the Tour de Yorkshire was a huge honour for the town, and it was fantastic to see the creativity of communities along the route.
“They ensured the town provided a fantastic backdrop for such a prestigious event, and created talking points for TV pundits and viewers alike.
“I’m delighted that Albert Park’s striking penny farthing has made it onto Welcome to Yorkshire’s shortlist, and hope people will take the time to vote.”
Voting in 2016 Tour de Yorkshire land art competition closes on Sunday, May 29. To vote for your favourite, visit http://letour.yorkshire.com/landart