CYCLING fever struck Wharfedale again as the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire arrived.

The race ran from Thursday, May 2 to Sunday, May 5 - with the riders passing through local communities on its second and concluding day.

Spectators in Bramhope, Pool-in-Wharfedale and Leathley all got a chance to cheer on the cyclists during the second, Barnsley to Bedale stage of the Men’s Race on Friday, May 3.

That was also the first day of the two-day Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire in which Otley’s Lizzie Deignan, the event’s winner in 2017, was in action.

Lizzie didn’t clinch a top spot this time - with Marianne Vos winning - but she did give an attacking performance that saw her voted the most active rider in a live Twitter poll.

She said: “Marianne is a phenomenal rider and thoroughly deserves this win.

“This has been another fantastic race and the whole women’s peloton is incredibly grateful for the support we have received. This is a top-class race and I’m looking forward to returning in September for the World Championships.”

Towns and villages on the Tour’s route pulled out the stops to make sure they gave the competitors a warm welcome. This was the first time the race had visited Bramhope so the parish council, churches and community groups all made a special effort.

Blue and yellow balls, bunting, yellow-painted bicycles and colour-co-ordinated flower displays were on show to greet the women’s and men’s races on May 3.

St Giles Parish Church, meanwhile, was the location for a fundraising cyclathon, static bike racing, quiz, beer tent, mocktails and more. And residents got another chance to cheer on the Sportive cyclists, plus the Men’s Race, on May 5 when both passed along Otley Old Road.

Chair of Bramhope’s Tour de Yorkshire organising committee, Councillor John Howard, said: “Bramhope celebrated in style. A pre-Tour taster was held at the primary school on the Wednesday where prizes for the Bling Your Bike and Recycle Art competitions were presented and a rehearsal held for the ‘living land art’ planned by the Vicar, Rev Tom Lusty.

“On the Friday, despite the rain that greeted the women’s race, large enthusiastic crowds gathered. Olympic gold medal winning Triathlete Alistair Brownlee was also kind enough to take his turn on the exercise bikes at St Giles Church to inspire the many children taking part.

“Then Rev Lusty marshalled volunteers into the large field facing the road to create the living land art.

“On the Sunday there were further displays and refreshments at High Trees Garden Centre and at St Helena’s Caravan Park, where funds were raised for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

Sunday was also the day when fans in Blubberhouses and Otley - where the riders took on the Côte de Otley Chevin, on East Chevin Road - got a chance to see their heroes.

Themed flags were flying in Otley to mark the occasion. Town Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson said: “Otley turned out in great numbers to welcome the Tour through town once again and we weren’t disappointed.

“The weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the spectators who were determined to enjoy themselves and create the festival atmosphere that the Tour is now famous for.

“The race has done a great job of creating a ‘Tour de France’ style linear festival, in which communities large and small embrace the spirit of the racing and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

“Thanks to the organisers for a job well done, to all the volunteers, and to the local businesses and community groups who also responded so well and got involved. It was a grand day out.”

Otley Cycle Club members enjoyed the occasion too, with several travelling to Barden Moor to see the Men’s Race .

Publicity officer Jill Birch: “It was a cold wait on Sunday but the climb up Barden Moor warmed us up. The race caravan passed us as we rode uphill and they cheered us rather than the other way round, which was great fun!

“We had great views and the atmosphere was electric. Then we headed back as quickly as possible to Otley to sample the music and entertainment.”

One Otley church enjoyed a very busy Sunday thanks to the race. The Bridge Church served refreshments on its lawn - raising more than £500 for its charity of the year, the Joanna Project.

The church also acted as a base for the 30-plus Tour Makers in Otley and supplied refreshments to Sportive competitors.

An anti-fracking protest, meanwhile, was held by Otley Green Party. Councillor Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield) said: “Like everyone else on East Chevin Road we had a great time supporting the riders. The Tour is a big success in promoting Yorkshire and its beautiful countryside - which we want to protect from fracking.

“Our banner related to Ineos, which has permission to explore for shale gas in parts of Yorkshire and beyond, taking over sponsorship of Team Sky. Fracking in the UK is an unproven and unnecessary way to extract fossil fuels.given that renewable sources of energy are performing so well.”