Summary The official Grand Depart Trophy for the Tour de France has arrived in Leeds.
LEEDS (AFP) - Leeds, the northern English venue for the start of this year's Tour de France, took delivery of the Grand Depart trophy on Thursday.
The eyes of the cycling world will be on Leeds in some six months' time when the 2014 Tour starts on July 5, with Britain's Chris Froome set to defend the title he won last year.
In all there will be three stages in England, with the first two in Yorkshire, as the peloton passes through Leeds, the Dales, Harrogate, York and Sheffield, before a third stage from Cambridge to London.
"The interest and media coverage in the last couple of weeks to mark the new year and six months to go is an indication of how excited everyone is getting around Leeds and Yorkshire hosting the start of the Tour de France," said Keith Wakefield, the leader of Leeds City Council.
"We are honoured to host the Grand Depart trophy and hope lots of people come and see it and are inspired to get involved and support what is sure to be an amazing event when the Tour comes to Leeds in July."
