Memories from when Leeds hosted the 2014 Grand Depart

These wonderful photos showcase the July day in 2014 when Leeds hosted the start of the first stage of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France.

Around 230,000 people packed into the city centre to cheer the riders on their way, with another two million spectators lining the rest of the event’s Yorkshire route. A report by Leeds City Council and UK Sport showed the 2014 Grand Départ boosted the county’s economy by more than £100m, with further long-term benefits predicted as a result of increased tourism, profile and trade deals. Leeds is now set to make sporting history as the host location for the Grand Départ of 2027’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The first ever visit to Britain by the world’s biggest women’s professional cycle race will get under way in the city on July 30 next year, organisers have revealed. READ MORE: Watch - Secrets of Leeds Queens Hotel revealed including hidden tunnel LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia