The atmosphere and beauty of the County of Yorkshire gives a constant inspiration to travel. Among the native heroes of the area is Captain James Cook, one of the explorers who gave a new face to the world by discovering New-Zealand, New Caledonia and the Isles of Hawa�. Crossing the seas will be a lot more peaceful for the riders of the Tour who will also discover new lands on the occasion of this twentieth Grand D�part outside of the French borders.

Through a Tour of Yorkshire, during two stages, the pack will have a taste of what this sensational territory has to offer: stunningly pure nature once in the Yorkshire Dales, a constantly renewed vitality in the heart of the cities that has marked the history of the country.

The Yorkshire atmosphere takes the visitor back into time at the heart of the novels written by the Bront� sisters that might even inspire some riders as they cross through the village of Haworth.

The cities of Leeds and Sheffield, two major places of the industrial development during the 19th century, will play a central role in the Tour's stay in Yorkshire.

Their history in sports often put them in the limelight thanks to the football clubs of both cities that have conquered a total of eight league titles. While in far lower divisions, Sheffield FC will remain forever the first football club in the world... created back in 1857!

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