MP calls for full support for Yorkshire's Tour de France win (From York Press)

MP calls for full support for Yorkshire's Tour de France win

4:36pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Julie Hayes, Business editor

A YORK MP has said he is hopeful the UK's body for high performance sport, will provide financial support to Yorkshire's plans to host part of the Tour de France.

Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer, asked Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and Tourism, what pressure the Government was bringing to bear on UK Sport to fully support Yorkshire’s successful bid to host the Grand Depart, the start of the world’s biggest annual sporting event.

UK Sport and British Cycling had previously supported Scottish-led bid to host the Grand Depart, and said the best chance to win the event for the UK was to submit a single bid from the UK.

Mr Robertson said negotiations were now under way with UK Sport, but that it was a delicate matter as it involved National Lottery funding. The organisation invests about £300 million each year, from the National Lottery, the Government and a private sponsorship scheme, in high performance sport.

Mr Sturdy said he was hopeful UK Sport would soon bring its full support to the region to make sure that next year’s Tour de France will be one to remember, especially as it will be the first time the North of England has hosted the prestigious event.

"It is important we support this fantastic opportunity and maximise the benefits this event will bring to our region. I look forward to hearing about more developments over the coming months,” he said.