Greg Mulholland, the MP for Leeds North West and co-chairman of the All-Party Parlia-mentary Group on the 2014 Yorkshire and UK Tour de France, has welcomed the announcement of the Grand Depart 2014 route.

Mr Mulholland expressed particular pleasure at the news it will be coming through Otley and Pool-in-Wharfedale in the constituency.

He says he worked closely with the Back le Bid team and MPs from the region, to help secure the Grand Depart for Yorkshire and Leeds.

Mr Mulholland said: “It is hugely exciting for everyone in the area that Yorkshire will play host to three stages of one of the largest sporting events in the world. It will be a huge boost to the local economy as well as cycling.

“I am particularly pleased at the announcement that the race will be going through the constituency and in particular Pool-in-Wharfedale and Otley, the home of Olympic silver medallist, Lizzie Armitstead and now a nationally recognised centre for cycling with its increasingly popular annual Town Centre Races and cycling festival.”