WHAT on earth will we do when the Grand Départ is over? All that anticipation, the build up, the passion.

Even if the weather is set fair next week it will feel like a damp squib when the Tour de France circus decamps after one the most momentous weekends North Yorkshire has ever seen. Or at least it would do, if not for the Great Yorkshire Show.

It’s Britain’s premier agricultural event and no sooner has the county been in the world’s spotlight, than it will get another chance to shine for three more days at the Harrogate showground.

And the French connection will still hold strong as their cheese makers go head to head with ours.

But whichever team is victorious, there can be no doubt that Yorkshire will be the real winner this month.