THE Tour came to Middlesbrough – and the town came out in force to give the riders a send-off to remember.
Middlesbrough played host to Stage 3 of the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire, with the peloton setting off from Centre Square for a thrilling final day’s racing.
As the countdown got under way to Sunday’s start, crowds gathered in the town centre for a chance to get up close and personal with some of the biggest names in world cycling.
Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme soaked up the atmosphere in Centre Square, while Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity arrived with minutes to spare, fresh from the morning’s Sportive amateur event.
Thousands turned out, thronging the start area and lining the route which took the riders across 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.
Organisers Welcome to Yorkshire paid tribute to record-breaking crowds for the event, and thanked local people for creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
After nearly five hours of gruelling racing over 198km, the stage was won by French cycling legend Thomas Voeckler in a thrilling sprint finish on the seafront at Scarborough.
Back in Middlesbrough, the Enjoy the Ride Carnival and Parade kept the crowds entertained in the town centre, with many staying on despite the wind and rain.
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, travelled ahead of the peloton in one of the official race cars and saw the thrilling finale at close quarters.
He said: “It was a real honour for Middlesbrough to host the Tour de Yorkshire, and Centre Square and the whole of the town provided a fantastic backdrop for such a prestigious sporting event.
“The race itself was a terrific spectacle, and it was fitting that the overall outcome was only decided in a sprint finish on the final day of the Tour.
“I’d like to pay tribute to the tremendous effort and hard work put in by so many people to make the whole weekend the success it was.
“And most of all I’d like to thank the people of Middlesbrough and beyond who turned out in force to make it a day none of us will ever forget.
“Communities from across the town came together and really showed what the town and its people are all about.
“I’ve had emails and calls from a lot of people telling me how much they enjoyed the event, and how fantastic Middlesbrough looked on television.
“After the issues with television coverage on the previous day, it was great that shots of Middlesbrough were broadcast to more 170 countries across the world.
“The town did itself proud, and the feel-good factor our involvement with the Tour de Yorkshire has inspired will be felt for a long time to come.”
The inaugural Tour de Yorkshire in 2015 attracted one and a half million spectators and more than six million global television viewers, and generated an estimated £50 million in economic benefit to the areas involved.
- For full results of the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire, visit letour.yorkshire.com/ and for information on cycling activities in Middlesbrough visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk and lovemiddlesbrough.com/enjoytheride
- For more pictures from the Tour de Yorkshire weekend in Middlesbrough visit www.flickr.com/photos/middlesbroughcouncil/albums
Those wanting to relive the excitement can sign up to join a Ride the Route History Tour on Saturday, May 7. Ride the Middlesbrough route with a local historian. Booking is essential on a first come first served basis. There are also a small number of bikes available to borrow – inquire when booking. Must book by Thursday, May 5. For more information and to book contact 01642 728196/cycling@middlesbrough.gov.uk
Monday, May 9: final Blue Giraffe free bike maintenance course and the Cleveland Wheelers League 2000 Youth Criterium.
Wednesday, May 11: final British Cycling rider and development sessions for women and girls at Middlesbrough Sports Village.