Le Grand Depart Leeds

Le Grand Depart Leeds

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The Tour de France is the third largest sporting event in the world, established 101 years ago in 1903. Set over three weeks and covering 3,500 km the race has become to be recognised by the infamous yellow jersey. Leeds has been getting ready to welcome the world to our city where the race starts on Saturday 5th July and it would be hard not to notice the abundance of yellow bicycles, flowers, bunting (even knitted!) and decorations.

The Tour de France Grand Départ will start at 11am on the Headrow, opposite the Leeds Art Gallery, on Saturday 5 July 2014. Two hours before at 9am the publicity caravan will set off from the Headrow. The race will take the following route in Leeds;

  • Grand Départ on The Headrow to A61 Sheepscar Interchange (via Regent Street)
  • A61 Sheepscar Interchange to A61/A6120 Outer Ring Road
  • A61/A6120 Outer Ring Road to A659 Arthington Lane (via Harewood House)
  • A659 Arthington Lane to A660 Leeds/Bradford Boundary (via Pool and Otley)

 

tour 3

 

The main Leeds spectator Hub will be at Scott Hall playing fields, just a stones throw away from us at Inkwell, so to help celebrate we are open for food and refreshments throughout the day. We will be serving fresh coffees, homemade cakes, sandwiches and salads ( takeaway available). Breakfast will be available from 7.30am.

The race will then leave Leeds and travel on to the Yorkshire Dales and end with a sprint finish in Harrogate late in the afternoon between 4:20 and 4:45pm.

Events are happening right across the city this week in the build up to the main event. More details about the race, road closures, venues are available on the official Grand Depart website.

More details are also available on Leeds City Council website.

It is an honour for Leeds to be hosting the start of what will be the 101st Tour de France event. We have a wonderful opportunity to showcase our great city to the world, but it is equally important that whilst the race is on, the amount of disruption for people who use Adult Social Care and other support services are minimised. If you have any questions about the race weekend and how it may affect you and the care you receive you can visit the FAQ’s page here.

We hope you will be able to pop in and join us on your way to and from the race, or just relax in our garden in our safe and welcoming space. However you choose to spend the Grand Depart weekend we hope you remain safe and well and enjoy this special weekend.