At the centre of the whole weekend, of course, is the small matter of the Grand Départ. The Tour de France peloton – preceded by the Tour caravan – will roll out of Leeds, pass along the Leeds Headrow and  towards Harrogate on Saturday July 5. With the first yellow jersey of the 101st edition of cycling’s biggest race on offer, expect some high octane action both en route and then up Harrogate’s Parliament Street where a bunch sprint is anticipated.

Welcome to Yorkshire chief Gary Verity has promised the grandest of all Grand Départs, and there is unanimous opinion from both current and former pros that it will live up to such a billing. It is the first time since 2007 the Tour has started on these shores, and the furthest north it has ever been in Britain. And there will be no shortage of cycling fans clamouring for the best views of pro cycling’s elite along the way for what is set to be an unmissable weekend.