WITH just a month to go until the Tour de Yorkshire comes to Pickering the town gave a warm welcome to a team of European journalists yesterday.

The cyclists were joined by TV commentator and former pro-cyclist Sean Kelly, along with Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, to sample the route from Pickering to Whitby.

 

York Press:

Gary Verity of Welcome to Yorkshire in Pickering, which will welcome the Tour de Yorkshire on May 1

Organised by Amaury Sport Organisation and Welcome to Yorkshire, supported by British Cycling, the Tour of Yorkshire is expected to attract thousands of cycling enthusiasts and visitors to the area.

The inaugural three-day event, from May 1 to 3, will be broadcast to 70 countries around the world and will take in Pickering, Dalby Forest and the North York Moors National Park, as well as going through Norton town centre.

Organisers in Pickering are preparing to welcome visitors on Friday, May 1, with bunting and artwork to ensure the town is noticed by the helicopters filming the race, as well as cycling related events and activities.

There are plans to close the Market Place to enable entertainment, including live screening, to take place and create a party atmosphere.

William Oxley, a town councillor and member of Pickering in Business, said everyone in the town was fully behind the event.

“The banners and bunting are going up and Pickering is really embracing the Tour,” he said.

“It was fantastic to welcome the team of media riders from across Europe on Tuesday, who will hopefully give Pickering and Ryedale a good mention and highlight what a great place it is to visit.”

Councillor Ray King, mayor of Norton, said they aimed to make the Tour de Yorkshire, which comes through the town on Saturday, May 2, a real family event.

“We have more than 40 shops and businesses on board displaying graphics and posters and have had a really good response from people wanting to get involved,” he said.

“There is lots going on through the day and we want to make it child-friendly and get everyone in town enjoying the day.”

 

York Press:

Cycling hero Sean Kelly in Pickering

Attractions include music entertainment and a street magician, along with displays, crafts and face painting. There will also be a live big screen at the Derwent Arms.

Businesses are encouraged to decorate their shop windows with a cycle display and there will be a children’s treasure hunt with the first prize a family ticket for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Coun King said: “This is such a positive event for Norton that we want to create a real buzz in the town and encourage local people to come and see this epic event, which we may never see the likes of again.”