Ben Swift: Tour de Yorkshire ride will make up for Tour de France disappointment
Yorkshireman Ben Swift missed out when the Tour de France came to his home county last year, but hopes May's Tour de Yorkshire will make up for that
Ben Swift admits the prospect of riding in the Tour de Yorkshire will somewhat make up for missing out on a ride at the Tour de France in his home county.
The Rotherham native was left out of Team Sky’s squad for the three week race last July, which generated millions of pounds for the surrounding area.
The 27-year-old, who finished third in the 2014 Milan-San Remo, believes the new three-day race will be another success with the British public.
Swift told the Sheffield Telegraph: “It was disappointing not to make the cut for the Tour de France especially as it was going through roads I trained and grew up on.
“I had mixed feelings watching the Tour de France on TV - I was tired after a long season so it was nice to sit at home, but it was also hard to watch in the knowledge that I was missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“All this makes up for that a bit. It is a follow-on from how successful cycling has become in Britain and with the level it is coming in at it is just going to be a hit straight away.”
The Tour de Yorkshire departs Bridlington on May 1, with stage finishes in Scarborough, York and Leeds.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.