October 2: Why Tour de Yorkshire must be four days: Questions for British Cycling

This year’s inaugural event, staged over three days in early May, attracted 1.5m spectators. Compare this with the 650,000 fans who watched the recent World Championships in America over a 10-day period.

It does not end here – Britain’s top cyclists, headed by Tour de France trailblazers Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome, are among the biggest names in the sport to give their blessing to Welcome to Yorkshire’s plan; they have said an additional stage will increase the likelihood of the world’s top riders competing here.

As such, it can only be assumed that cycling’s ruling body is worried about its own Tour of Britain being upstaged by not only the Yorkshire race, but Sir Gary Verity’s desire to do even more to promote women’s cycling after Otley’s Lizzie Armitstead became world champion.

It is not sufficient reason for British Cycling to puncture the Tour de Yorkshire’s ambitions, the governing body should use every opportunity to exploit the popularity of its sport and its response is awaited with interest.