Bedale wins as Tour de Yorkshire finish hosting declared a success

May 4, 2019 Joe Willis News 0
Riders race to the line in Bedale. Photo: SWPix.com.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Bedale to watch a thrilling sprint finish on the second day of the men’s Tour de Yorkshire on Friday.

According to police, 340,000 spectators gathered along the route to watch both the men and women in action.

In Beadle Market Place, people stood more than ten deep in places to catch a glimpse of the riders powering home, while others watched from first and second floor windows.

It was a triumphant day for Bedale which had fully embraced the event.

Shops and businesses throughout the town were adorned in Tour de Yorkshire decorations.

From the air, TV viewers were treated to several pieces of land art at Mowbray School and Bedale Golf Club, as well as a piece by official tour artist Mackenzie Thorpe and Bedale High School students at Exelby Bridge.

Students at Mowbray also got the chance to perform a Makaton flash mob on the finish line, after the town was declared Briton’s second Makaton friendly town ahead of the event.

The communication method is based on British Sign Language and involves using signs and symbols with speech to help adults and children with learning or speech difficulties to communicate.

In the men’s race Rick Zabel claimed a stunning sprint victory, his first sine 2015.

Lorena Wiebes (Parkhotel Valekenburg) took the spoils on the opening stage of the Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race earlier in the day.

Zabel couldn’t knock Asselman off the top of the overall standings and Asselman will wear the blue jersey sponsored by Yorkshire Bank once again on Saturday’s stage from Bridlington to Scarborough.

Jacob Hennessy (Canyon dhb p/b Bloor Homes) also defended his best climber’s jersey sponsored by LNER, while Boy Van Poppel (Roompot – Charles) moved into the best overall sprinter’s jersey sponsored by Asda on account of his second consecutive top-five finish.

After the stage Welcome to Yorkshire commercial director Peter Dodd said: “We saw two identical stages for the men and women today and they both received unbelievable receptions. The passion in Barnsley from everybody who gathered to greet the riders was phenomenal and all the shops were decorated and doing a roaring trade.

“That reception was the same through every place we passed, and Bedale must take great credit as well for the welcome they laid on – the noise and sheer number of smiling faces was incredible. Thousands of people had been there all day and they were treated to some fantastic cycling.

“The amount of land art we’ve seen so far this year also deserves a mention. Every year we think ‘how can it be topped?’ but then it seems to get larger and the people who produce it are becoming even more creative. It was truly heart-warming to see. This event is more than just a bike race for the communities we visit and we’re all immensely proud of that.”

Stage winner Erik Zabel said: “It was emotional for me to win today because it has been almost four years and tears came to my eyes. It was super nice because I am normally a lead-out man and this victory gives me the belief I can win at this high level.

“I really enjoyed today. It was special to ride the circuit in Harrogate as well. It’s going to be a beautiful parcours for the World Championships, and while it will be great for the fans to watch, it’ll be hard for the riders.

“We’re all looking forward to it though because we know it’ll be an amazing race in September.”

Race leader Jesper Asselman said: “It was a tough stage, especially on the World Championships circuit, and my team had a good day because we defended the blue jersey and also got Boy [Van Poppel] in the green one.

“Hopefully the next few days will be equally good but it gets a lot harder from now on with a lot of steep climbs and I hope I can stay up there.”

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