THE DESIGN of new medal for the Tour de Yorkshire Ride has been unveiled.

All participants of the Ride, expected to exceed last year’s 4,500, will be awarded the medal as they cross the finish line in Leeds, just hours before the pros roll through on May 5.

Artist Mackenzie Thorpe, one of the biggest-selling British contemporary artists, marks 30 years as a professional artist in 2019. To crown this occasion, he has been made Official Artist for the Tour de Yorkshire this year, creating a collection of artworks for the event. Bicycles have long held a powerful and symbolic position in Mackenzie’s artwork and his unique talent means these images resonate with both cyclists and non-cyclists alike.

Now Mackenzie has lent his talent to the Official Ride medal, strengthening the link between the Tour and the Ride and a work of art in its own right. The medal features a rider in a ‘Y’ jersey holding aloft two hearts in Mackenzie’s iconic style. This is set against a backdrop of the rolling hills of Yorkshire, detailed out in shades of green as the cyclist conquers the brutal beauty the county is known and loved for.

Mackenzie Thorpe said: “At the launch for this year’s Tour de Yorkshire I was inspired hearing about ‘the Ride’ where cyclists, of all ages and abilities, will be tackling the challenging courses, all for the love of riding, camaraderie and of course to raise money for charity.

"I love the fact that people can join in and experience for themselves some of the excitement and thrill of the race. I was honestly delighted to be asked to design the medal and wanted to do something special, that reflected the Ride and the area, so people can take home with them a little bit of Yorkshire. I’m really pleased with how it has turned out, and hope the riders are too”

Nick Rusling, CEO of ride organisers Human Race, says: “This medal really is something truly different. Never before have we had such a prominent artist be involved in the design of one our event medals. I love it and love the close connection we have with the elite event, with Yorkshire and with our participants.

"I think we have created a real collector’s item here and you have to complete the Tour de Yorkshire Ride to get one.”

For more details about the ride go to https://letour.yorkshire.com/tour-de-yorkshire-ride/.