CIVIC leaders hailed the impact of the Tour de Yorkshire as the three-day bike race reached its climax today.

Frenchman Thomas Voeckler beat Ireland's Nicholas Roche to win the final stage and claim overall victory in Scarborough.

Huge crowds had lined a challenging route which took the peloton through the North Yorkshire Moors, with the scenes on Sutton Bank reminiscent of Alpine passes in the grand tours.

The single-stage women's race on Saturday saw Dutch rider Kirsten Wild take the honours from a bunch sprint in Doncaster.

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Tadcaster was among the North Yorkshire towns to host stage one on Friday.

Mayor Don Mackay said: "We had huge numbers and lots of people participating.

"It got the town back together. We were very proud to be part of it.

"The weather just held off by the skin of its teeth.

"I was very impressed by it and I'm sure we'll do an even better job in the future."

Yesterday, stage three took in Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside on its way to the finish in Scarborough.

Carol Swift, vice chairman of Helmsley Town Council, said: "It was quite an exciting time.

"It was very atmospheric with lots of people about. It's great to see them all here. The town was really dressed up."

In Kirkbymoorside, the town band played to welcome the cyclists as they sped through.

Mayor Chris Dowie said: "So many people and businesses got involved. We had bunting and painted bikes everywhere, "People were standing on the roundabout and all along the road right along the town boundary.

"It was fantastic, a really exciting day to see them coming through.

"We had a big screen up in the town centre, so people could watch the rest of the race.

"It has been a brilliant day for the whole of Ryedale."