04/07/2014 Look North (Yorkshire)

A reminder of the main story, Rolf Harris is beginning a

of the world 's greatest bike race. It is here where the Tour dd France

It is here where the Tour de France Clark will really start to take

It's pouring down with rain but we don't care. This is the offhcial

start line of the Tour de France. We will be showing you last`minute

preparations across Yorkshire as the county gets ready to stage the

world's a guest sporting evdnt. county gets ready to stage the

world's a guest sporting event. We world's a guest sporting event. We

will find out what the cyclhsts have will find out what the cyclhsts have

been doing to do today stop all the rain stop this weekend?

Millions of people throughott the world will be watching this. Kathy

Kelly has been flagging out how ready we really are.

It only got a population of 500 but this little village has embraced the

tour and then giving it French kisses. It's not just flags, there

is a fairground and a food court. People are very happy to have the

race here. Between us we have organised this incredible event. So

will it be worth the fuss? Here are the vital statistics.

Here's one business experiencing a bonanza. This company makes flags

and bunting. They'd had 20 times their normal orders. We didn't

expect the volume of orders. People want to be involved with thd whole

process. A lot of people who don't even know about cycling still want

to be involved. You couldn't get more community involvement then here

in York. This picture will go on display on Sunday. The helicopters

will be global. I'm a big bdliever will be global. I'm a big believer

in community spirit. That's really come out in this project. It is a

metaphor for what working together can do. Just paint, plywood and

people. Of course, it is people who will make the tour. It's gohng to be

brilliant. I think it is fantastic for Yorkshire. We can't get out

because the roads are shot. We may as well just enjoy it. Ill have a

barbecue in the garden. What a ride it is going to be. The final

flourish, 60 policemen from Paris. A massive day for the whole county of

Yorkshire. One of the biggest days in our history. I'm looking forward

to it very much. I'm proud of the work the people have done. The stage

is set for the Grand Depart. Where will the tour be going? Here's

a reminder. The riders leave Leeds town

hall just after 11.ooam and they proceed to Harewood House

where the race officially starts It then goes through Ilkley and

reaches Skipton by about 12.45pm. It is then into the Dales and they

are estimated to me to reach Then onto one of the biggest hills,

Cote de Buttertubs half Then it's past Ripon to finhsh

on the straight in Harrogate. Date two starts at York racdcourse

at 11.00am and goes to Knaresborough It's then onto Addingham, rdaching

Keighley at 1.00pm before tackling the cobbled main streets of Howarth

and the long climb up Cragg Vale. They are expected in Huddersfield

just before 2.30pm. Action here, there are 20,000

campers in these fields over the next couple of days. But wh`t is

campers in these fields over the next couple of days. But what is it

like around the rest of the route. Harrogate. This is where

Yorkshire's Grand Depart will come to a 60 mph initiative. It should be

gripping. Over my shoulder hs to a 60 mph initiative. It should be

gripping. Over my shoulder hs the finish line. That is the dream

gripping. Over my shoulder is the finish line. That is the drdam that

finish line. That is the dream that Mark Cavendish is going to have this

evening. Remember, his mum is a Harrogate

girl herself. He is going to have some company on his shoulder as he

comes down here. It should be quite a contest.

Whoever is on the podium is not predictable. It is impossible to

forecast. This is clamping at its best, but we

have some fabulous barbecue is going on. So, you are a pro

So, you have done your training, the mechanics have worked

on your bike and you have pinned your race number on your jersey

What else do Tour de France riders do in the final 24 hours

Well, the pupils of Kingfisher Primary School in Doncaster have

been invited to meet the riders and staff of the Kazakh`based Astana

Our Tour correspondent Matt Slater has tagged along too.

the eve of battle. A time to check your weapon and make sure you have a

knife kit. As every army marches on its stomach. And here they come, a

crack team of cyclists. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I

shall begin. This bus drives all over Europe. The bus is a mobile

changing room, Sanctuary and snack shop.

These bikes require a mobile home of the own and lots of special

attention. But somebody has to write them. Nine of the world's bdst

them. Nine of the world's best cyclists. We have been imprdssed by

cyclists. We have been impressed by the hospitality of the people here.

And the way that they treat us, especially on the roads. It has been

a good few days. We hope that especially on the roads. It has been

a good few days. We hope th`t the coming days will be even better.

What did you think of today? It was really good fun. Would you like to

be a professional cyclist? No, I don't think so. What was yotr

favourite bit of today. What an inside these childrdn are

getting just hours before the biggest annual sporting event. And

what better symbol of friendship is there between South Yorkshire and

this team of Italian and Danish riders than the humble loom and.

Over the next couple of days they will be putting themselves to the

test on some of Yorkshire's most challenging roads. And we know how

dangerous some of those clotds can dangerous some of those clouds can

be. Steep gradients and shop ends. On a

good day this stretch of ro`d Steep gradients and shop ends. On a

good day this stretch of road is good day this stretch of ro`d is

exciting cycling territory. Within two days rain it is also fr`ught

two days rain it is also fraught with real danger. Over half a dozen

riders have already come seriously unstuck. One cyclist had to be

airlifted to hospital. As you can see, the bikes come down

off that top ridge really quickly before hitting this S end. One

cyclist hit this bend here `nd hit cyclist hit this bend here and hit

the catchment bends, slipped over the top and rolled and stopped on

the ledge over a precipice which drops 18 feet straight down.

Even professional riders have erred the complaints and concerns about

how dangerous they can be. It can be very dangerous on the

descent. When you ride through the descent. When you ride throtgh the

more dangerous roads. The Yorkshire ambulance strike for most of the

weekend has prompted an ambtlance weekend has prompted an ambulance

crews to step up their own cover. We've hired a third aircraft to

cover the race. We have taken the cover the race. We have taken the

decision to base an aircraft were the race is travelling. The message

from rescue workers is clear. Have one would take extra care. It's

one would take extra care. Ht's worse today. We have a greasy road

and the wind does not help. We would appreciate that the art lots of

signs of warning about the corners. Well, bookies are bracing themselves

for a pay`out if Mark Cavendish wins William Hill are offering 3/1, the

biggest odds in the industrx, that And no one will be happier

if he takes that yellow jersey in Harrogate than his uncle

Russell Davidson. I asked him what Marc Bosman mindset

was now. This is probably the most mentally taxing for him. Will the

family wanting to perform in an extra special weight because it

family wanting to perform in an extra special weight becausd it is

extra special weight because it is Harrogate? He has a bond to this

place. Yes he does. He and his brother as young kids would

frequently come to stay here. brother as young kids would

frequently come to stay herd. They frequently come to stay here. They

have fond memories of going around the Dales. We just want thel to be

the Dales. We just want them to be safe because they are travelling at

speeds. What would your emotions be? I'll be jumping up in the air. I

be ecstatic. He's probably going to start the last ten kilometres and

start the last ten kilometrds and will be on tenterhooks the whole

way. The Prime Minister is now in the

county. He told me Elliott that he will be watching the Grand Depart

from Harrogate with his famhly. I asked if he thought this would be a

defining moment for Yorkshire. There will be billions around the world

watching the start of the Tour de France here in Yorkshire. It is

quite right for Britain to host it because we aren't now a leading

cycling nation. There is a north`south divide in Yorkshire

needs more events like this. How can you help us achieve that. The

government needs to get behhnd sporting events like this. This

isn't the only thing we havd got isn't the only thing we havd got

going. After the Olympics we have going. After the Olympics wd have

the, well games in Glasgow. We have the Rugby World Cup coming to

England in 2015. Then the athletics championship in 2017 at the Olympic

Park. What do you think the legacy will be? I think it will cole

Park. What do you think the legacy will be? I think it will come in

parts. There is an economic legacy. There will be a sporting legacy

because young people will watch this because young people will w`tch this

event and many people will take up cycling. That is very important.

cycling. That is very important There will be a health and fitness

bonus, too. Take a look at this. Have you ever

seen a tent like it? There hs a leopard skin rug there. We even have

leopard skin rug there. We dven have a blow`up couch. This is a

beautiful, calming environmdnt for a beautiful, calming environment for a

bride`to`be. We have one with us now. She is getting married

tomorrow. So your big day is tomorrow and you are getting married

in Harrogate. Are you mad? A little. in Harrogate. Are you mad? @ little.

We are getting married at 9am and We are getting married at 9`m and

then spending the day watching the then spending the day watching the

race. What other plans? Abott then spending the day watchhng the

race. What other plans? About 6am then spending the day watching the

race. What other plans? Abott 6am I race. What other plans? About 6am I

think. Walk across to the rdgistry think. Walk across to the registry

office for 9am and then after the ceremony down to watch the start of

the race on the big screen. We have a meal but for the evening will stop

you going to be in the full white dress? I am. We are going to be

traditional. Are you a big cycling fan yes, my boyfriend and I said we

would always go to the tour one day. Oscar, you won the tour. Wh`t is

going through the minds of the cyclists right now. The Tour de

France is the biggest race hn cyclists right now. The Tour de

France is the biggest race in the world and everyone is trainhng

France is the biggest race hn the world and everyone is training for

world and everyone is trainhng for it. What has Yorkshire been like

from your point of view? Have you been impressed? Sorry, I don't

understand. Do you think Mark Cavendish can get

the yellow jersey? For me, tomorrow there are many possible riders who

there are many possible riddrs who could win it. It's been lovely

could win it. It's been lovdly talking to you about. Not everybody

is as laid`back as these two. Well not everyone's as laid back

as Jeanette and there will be nearly 1,000 roads

closed for the Tour at various times Your BBC local radio station has

extra travel bulletins and key public information to help

you get around, whether you're And there's also a Tour de France

in Yorkshire page on the BBC website with information,

news and features about the Tour. We are all looking forward to the

start of the tour will stop we are told there will be 20,000 pdople or

so here. It has gone very sloothly and the rain has stopped for the

moment. I think we should have and the rain has stopped for the

moment. I think we should have a lie down on this luxury bed. Whdre we

are camping world be like this. Let's find out what the weather will

be like. The rain has eased off. We are going

to go straight to the graphics. There will be rain around fhrst

There will be rain around first thing in the morning. That will ease

off gradually. By the time we get a late morning it should brighten up

quite nicely. Saturday afternoon looks lovely. But Sunday, it is a

sunny morning with scattered showers. One of two will be heavy.

All in all, once the patchy rain clears the weekend does not not too

bad. This evening we will sde this bad. This evening we will sde this

rain easing off but then a pull some really heavy rain will push up from

the south`west overnight. That will move out of the way and leave us

with drizzle and light rain. Temperatures around 16 Celshus. For

tomorrow, it is a cloudy, damp start tomorrow, it is a cloudy, damp start

with patchy rain, drizzle and mist. It will improve and turn drx

with patchy rain, drizzle and mist. It will improve and turn dry through

It will improve and turn drx through the morning and then skies will

brighten. A big clearance after midday with lots of sunshine

brighten. A big clearance after midday with lots of sunshind for

brighten. A big clearance after midday with lots of sunshine for the

midday with lots of sunshind for the afternoon. Temperatures not bad.

They will be around 18 or 18 They will be around 18 or 18

Celsius. Sunday will have a sunny start with scattered showers later.

The early part of next week is similar. Rumour has it you do

sharing a tent tonight. Defhnitely sharing a tent tonight. Definitely

not. We will leave you with some of the

images that tell us you are looking forward to something rather special

this weekend. Every little town has embraced the

Tour de France. You see bikds Tour de France. You see bikds

everywhere. It's very impressive. It will be tremendous.