To attract the best riders, a race needs to offer a challenging but appealing course and it is fair to say the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire delivered on that front.

Ben Swift and Russell Downing, both Yorkshiremen, had warned stage one might not end in the bunch sprint anticipated by many and so it proved.

Steep climbs, heavy roads, dicey descents and a little help from the elements all combined to make for an enthralling first stage.

The undulating third stage also sorted the men from the boys, and ensured the race for the GC was never fully resolved until the closing moments despite only five-men realistically being in contention after day one.

Rosedale Chimney was omitted from the route, meaning we did not get to see the peloton tackle the 30 per cent slopes, but in its absence there was still plenty of drama. Even the uncategorised ascents provided enough of a challenge to put paid to some riders’ hopes.

Downing told us pre-race it was more like three separate one-day races than a three-day stage race thanks to the varied and unpredictable parcous and that wasn’t far from what ensued.

After the success of the 2014 Grand Depart, and now the three first-class stages of the Tour de Yorkshire, it is fair to say the county is made for thrilling cycling.

This year’s inaugural race attracted plenty of big teams, including Team Sky, BMC Racing and Giant-Alpecin, and it would be no surprise if even more were to throw their hats into the ring next time out.