CYCLISTS are being assured of a huge welcome as a school makes an art form of preparations for the Tour de Yorkshire.
A huge bicycle, with wheels 26m in diameter, will be painted by North Yorkshire County Council grounds maintenance staff on the fields at Northallerton School & Sixth Form College, the official boundary as top riders pass through the county town.
The footbridge that joins the east and west sites of the Brompton Road school will also be adorned with massive hand painted banners hand painted by students.
Some of the world’s best and most exciting riders will descend on Yorkshire for what promises to be an electric bank holiday weekend of racing.
Arriving in Northallerton from Stokesley at about 12.30pm on May 1, they will pass by the school, which is being opened to the public.
Yorkshire teas, outdoor games, a teddy bear’s picnic and commemorative key rings made by students will also be available to raise proceeds for school funds and the school grounds will be open for car parking.
Visitors will be in prime position to see riders as they fly by including world and Olympic champions, world record holders, as well as grand tour and monument winners.
In total, 38 riders on the provisional rider list have ridden in the Tour de France and 25 have taken part in all three Grand Tours.
Sir Bradley Wiggins will celebrate his birthday in Yorkshire as he prepares for the race with his Team Wiggins teammates and last year’s winner, Team Sky’s Lars Petter Nordhaug, will join the event, as well as Pete Kennaugh, current British road champion, and Luke Rowe.
Northallerton School & Sixth Form College associate principal Chris Byrne said: “Tour de Yorkshire is a true spectacle and we are thrilled that it will pass under our footbridge.
“Students have been inspired by the event and have worked hard to ensure the riders will receive the warmest of welcomes to our town. The day promises to be a real carnival and we hope visitors will join us to celebrate in style.”
The Brompton Road site will be open from 8.30am.