The government did not want the Tour de France in Yorkshire - they wanted it in Scotland. They(consultants) said it would cost far too much and be a complete flop. Luckilly some belligerent yorkie new better. Conservative estimates say it created 4 to 5 times the amount it cost. The true worth to Yorkshire will never be known. It really is time the government stopped throwing notes into manchesters cap and put a few bob Leeds way.