North Kirklees misses out on Tour de France visit

But riders will take in Elland, Huddersfield and Holmfirth in the opening ‘Grand Depart’ of the world’s most famous bike race.

Race organisers announced last month Yorkshire had won the right to host the first two stages of the race, starting in Leeds on July 5.

Yorkshire beat off the challenge of bids from Florence and Edinburgh to host the prestigious event.

The route in full:

Stage one: Leeds - Harewood - Otley - Ilkley - Skipton - Kettlewell - Aysgarth - Hawes - Reeth - Leyburn - Ripon - Harrogate.

Stage two: York - Knaresborough - Silsden - Keighley - Haworth - Hebden Bridge - Elland - Huddersfield - Holmfirth - Sheffield.

Stage three: Cambridge - Epping Forest - the Olympic Park - the Mall, London.