WELCOME to Yorkshire boss Sir Gary Verity visited the Bradford district today as he gave the organiser of the world’s most famous bike race a tour of the county.

Sir Gary and Christian Prudhomme, general director of the Tour de France, visited schoolchildren and a pub in Oxenhope to see how the village has been preparing for this weekend’s Tour de Yorkshire.

They visited Oxenhope CE Primary School, where pupils have been painting Yorkshire roses and signs in preparation for the race, before visiting the Waggon and Horses pub, where a giant Hollywood-style Oxenhope has been put up ready for the event.

At the school, Mr Prudhomme and Sir Gary joined in painting some roses with the pupils.

Parisian Mr Prudhomme, who brought the Tour de France’s Grand Depart to Yorkshire in 2014, said he was “very impressed” with the community’s efforts.

He said: “I am always impressed by the Yorkshire people, they never disappoint, and it is very impressive to see what has been made for the race.

“It is great to see so many people are passionate about cycling and I can’t wait to see the massive crowds lining the route.

“The Tour de Yorkshire is only in its fourth edition and is already an important race, with some of the best public in the world.”

Sir Gary said the efforts of the people of Oxenhope were “fantastic”.

“We came here with the Grand Depart and we’re looking forward to coming back here for the epic and deciding final stage on Sunday,” he said.

“The efforts people have gone to is unbelievable, and it has been fantastic to bring Christian here and he is very impressed with what he has seen.”

Welcoming the guests at Oxenhope CE Primary School dressed in his very own Tour de Yorkshire jersey was headteacher John Parkin.

He said: “I can’t believe Christian Prudhomme was in the school it is unbelievable to have him here painting with the kids.

“We are all looking forward to the race on Sunday. We invited the whole community to come along and paint roses with us and it was a real success.

“The children are all really excited, a few of them are in cycling clubs and we encourage them to cycle to school.

“I just can’t believe we have Christian Prudhomme sat in our bike shed painting Yorkshire roses with the children.”