Burley-in-Wharfedale rider Scott Thwaites, who is due to race against Mark Cavendish and past Tour de France winner Alberto Contador at the Tour de San Louis in Argentina from Monday, is thrilled by the news.
The winner of the Otley Town Centre race for the past two years, tweeted: “Tour de France 2014 goes through my home town! It would be an honour to be part of it!”
'Inspiring cyclists'
Giles Pidcock, director of the Otley Town Centre races, said: “This is fantastic news. The Tour de France is a massive event and having it come to our area and Otley in particular should help inspire the next generation of cyclists.”
Pidcock (pictured) and his team have attracted top stars such as 2012 Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and 2011 world road race champion Mark Cavendish in recent years, and are in discussions to align their 2014 race with the start of the Tour.
He said: “This is really going to put Yorkshire on the map as a cycling venue.”
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