SPECTATORS at this year's inaugural Tour de Yorkshire cycle race spent nearly £50 million, according to organiser Welcome to Yorkshire.
The 515km event in May, which included stages in Ilkley and Otley, generated spending of £20.5 million on accommodation and £29.5 million on items such as food and drink, souvenirs and transport.
Welcome to Yorkshire also said it inspired 60 per cent of those watching to cycle more frequently.
More than 72 per cent of spectators were Yorkshire residents while 20.5 per cent came from elsewhere in the UK and 0.3 per cent from overseas.
One and a half million spectators watched the three days of the race.
Sir Gary Verity, Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive, said: “These are tremendous figures for the first edition of the Tour de Yorkshire.
“Preparations for next year’s race are coming on well and we can’t wait to announce the full route on December 9.”
Planning is well underway for the 2016 race, which will see a new route through different parts of Yorkshire, part of the race’s remit to showcase the entire county, with Otley and Settle among the host towns.
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