UK’s reputation on the line, Tour bosses warned

SPORTS Minister Hugh Robertson has warned Tour de France organisers the UK’s reputation for holding major events is in their hands as he staged a show of unity after a troubled summer for the event.
Hugh Robertson and cyclist Stephanie MillwardHugh Robertson and cyclist Stephanie Millward
Hugh Robertson and cyclist Stephanie Millward

On a visit to Leeds, Mr Robertson insisted budgets were in place to cover the event’s costs and rejected suggestions Yorkshire would be sidelined by moves to brand the Grand Départ an all-England occasion.

The start of the Tour de France, known as the Grand Départ, will take place in Leeds next July, with two days of racing on Yorkshire’s roads before it moves on to Cambridge and London.

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Mr Robertson yesterday met officials from tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, which initially secured the Grand Départ for the region, and TDF 2014, the company set up to run the event.

Hugh Robertson and cyclist Stephanie MillwardHugh Robertson and cyclist Stephanie Millward
Hugh Robertson and cyclist Stephanie Millward

He told the Yorkshire Post: “Yes this is incredibly important for Yorkshire but it’s massively important for sport in this country because we have gone past the days when we did these things and messed them up.

“Post London 2012 this country has a stellar sporting reputation and I am determined to keep it there.”

In recent weeks, question marks have been raised over the cost of the event, with North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan criticising the lack of funding to the meet policing costs.

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The Yorkshire Post revealed documents suggesting moves were underway by Department for Culture Media and Sport, UK Sport and VisitEngland to market the Grand Départ as an English, rather than Yorkshire, event.

Control of the event has now been passed to TDF 2014, led by chairman Sir Rodney Walker and chief executive Nicky Roche, who played a leading role in the delivery of the London Olympics.

Mr Robertson said: “We do have to remember that Yorkshire won the event, that it starts up here in Yorkshire, it’s over two days, but it then does pass on to Cambridge and London.

“In the meeting I had this morning I detected no desire to do anything other than market this event very strongly for Yorkshire.

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“The Grand Départ has a balanced budget of £27m, everything that Sir Rodney Walker and Nicky Roche tell me is they are confident they can deliver within that budget.”

Mr Robertson, Welcome to Yorkshire and TDF 2014 were keen to present a united front yesterday after private tensions over arrangements for the event had become public in recent weeks.

Mrs Roche said: “I think on these big projects you always have a settling period but ultimately as you get nearer and nearer you get more of a team.

“You realise you are one part of a much bigger picture and you don’t want to let the team down.

“It will be fantastic for Yorkshire.”

Mr Robertson met members of the Ilkley Cycle Club outside Leeds Town Hall during his visit.