IT WAS one of the biggest weekends in Yorkshire’s history, but when the Grand Départ riders finally departed, a collective wave of anti-climax washed across the county. How on earth, most thought, could anything come close to matching that?

Well we might not be hosting the Tour de France next year, but the Union Cycliste Internationale has just announced a new, world-class international race that promises to be every bit as exciting.

Provisionally named the Tour de Yorkshire, it will be first staged next May and, best of all, there will be no anti-climax in its aftermath, because this is planned to be an annual event.

Not only that, we understand the three-day race will include parts of the region that missed out this time round, and it is expected there will be a women’s race.

All of which is great news and underpins the commitment made to build on this summer’s heady success.

When the Grand Départ in Yorkshire was announced, Gary Verity, the indefatigable head of Welcome to Yorkshire, vowed to produce the best ever staged.

In July he proved as good as his word. Now Mr Verity promises that come May, he’ll again deliver something very special. We rather think he will.