Saturday 17 November 2012 19:23, UK
British Cycling and EventScotland have revealed they are in advanced negotiations to bring the Tour de France to Britain in 2014.
"I don't think it's disappointing. To take the race to as much of the country as we could and as close to as many people as we could, probably gave more reason for the ASO to say yes. "You've got to be ready to do it when they're ready to do it. They'll decide when they're going to bring it. "We can do as much as we can to make a persuasive offer, but ultimately it's their decision." The 2013 Tour is the 100th edition and takes place entirely in France, starting in Corsica on June 29. The bid is flexible in terms of the year - sooner rather than later is favoured - and detail of the route, but proposed start and finish locations, plus transfers, have been studied by ASO, who visited as recently as last month. The first stage would finish in south east Scotland or north east England, with the potential for a sprint finish which could see Mark Cavendish take the race leader's yellow jersey. There is also the desire for a route which shakes up the general classification standings while the race is in the UK. Jonny Clay, the cycle sport and membership director at British Cycling, said: "It (the route) would be something that would make a bit of a mess." There is a potential complication the shape of a rival bid. Welcome to Yorkshire are aiming to bring the Tour's Grand Depart to the UK, without co-operating with British Cycling. "We've tried very hard; we couldn't engage," Clay added. "Our first formal meeting - British Cycling and Welcome To Yorkshire - after several attempts was in Liege at the Grand Depart this year. "It's kind of daft to have two bids going in for the same years. "All we could really go was encourage Yorkshire to be part of a Scottish start. "But you've got to understand it from their perspective. That's not then the Grand Depart. "It's not a criticism that they still want to go ahead with their Grand Depart bid." Clay is uncertain of the details of the Yorkshire bid, but would be pleased if it succeeds. He added: "If Yorkshire come through and win this, great. From British Cycling's perspective it's just good that it's coming. "We're backing what we think is the best bid."
