THE waiting is almost over. Just five days left until the Tour de France rolls into Yorkshire and six days until York hosts its own Grand Départ for the second stage of the race.

The excitement is really beginning to mount – and the people of York are getting into the spirit of ‘le Tour’.

There are yellow bikes everywhere – chained up outside Bettys; attached to trees in public squares, in people’s gardens and even dangling beneath a window in Bishopthorpe Road.

Shops are putting on spectacular window displays, i is yellow bunting galore and even some great art work. York plans to say Bienvenue le Tour in style.

It is probably fair to say many of us don’t quite know what we’re in for. There will be vast crowds in the city, and lining the route throughout the Tour’s two day winding journey through the Yorkshire countryside.

The race will be beamed live to three billion television viewers. And for those on the ground there will be the whole Tour circus to enjoy. Including an advance convoy of vehicles that will be more like a carnival procession than anything, with exotic advertising floats and all kinds of goodies being tossed to the watching crowds.

Here in York, we’ve got our own Grand Departy party on the Sunday – and other towns and cities on the route through Yorkshire will be staging their own events.

The Tour is going to be one of the great events in York’s – and Yorkshire’s – recent history and one that will live long in the memory of all who see it.

We can’t wait.