THE Tour de Yorkshire has raised more than £100,000 for its chosen charity, smashing its target fundraising amount.

The bike race partnered with the Alzheimer's Society for the 2017 edition of the race, which took place from April 28 to April 30, passing through the Bradford district on its final stage.

More than half of the total figure was raised by entrants in the Tour de Yorkshire Sportive who chose to ride in support of the charity.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Achieving this landmark figure is tremendous news and I am immensely proud that the Tour de Yorkshire has helped raise such a huge amount for a very deserving cause.

“The Alzheimer’s Society delivers an invaluable service and we sincerely hope this money will make a difference to the 67,000 people living with dementia in Yorkshire, and hundreds of thousands more around the UK.”

Michael Dent, director of fundraising at the Alzheimer’s Society, added: “It was incredible to see so many fundraisers uniting against dementia and supporting the Alzheimer’s Society during the Tour de Yorkshire.

"They all played their part in reaching this amazing total and the funds raised will help us in various initiatives, one of which is growing our Side by Side programme which supports people with dementia and enables them to take part in the activities that they’ve always enjoyed, and even try new ones.

“The programme also helps people maintain better physical and mental functions and it may help slow their rate of decline, and we are currently recruiting volunteers for a new service in Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale.”

The raise saw thousands of people turn out to cheer on the peloton in Bradford and around the county.

The final stage on April 30 began in City Park before heading out towards Saltaire, Shipley, Otley and Queensbury as it snaked its way around the district.