White meets yellow as Tour’s iconic jersey carries the Yorkshire rose

The famous cycling top, traditionally worn by the leader of the event, is expected to get its first outing during Yorkshire’s opening two stages and cycling champion Mark Cavendish has already voiced his determination to win it in the first day of racing which ends in Harrogate, where his mother grew up.

The jersey, manufactured by Le Coq Sportif, features a translucent white rose on the front, in a similar design to the Corsican moor’s head on the yellow jersey won by Chris Froome, winner of this year’s race.

Yorkshire cycling star Dean Downing, who was at the unveiling of the route on Wednesday, welcomed the symbolic nod to his home county. “It’s a nice touch and it looks really good,” he said.

The 101st Tour starts in Leeds on July 5, with the two Yorkshire stages closing in Sheffield. A third stage is held between Cambridge and London before the race crosses the Channel.

Two million spectators are expected, bringing an estimated £100m boost to Yorkshire.