Thomas Voeckler to defend Tour de Yorkshire title in final UK race
Thursday 2 February 2017 12:31, UK
Thomas Voeckler will make his final appearance on British soil as he returns to defend his Tour de Yorkshire title in the third edition of the race in April.
The veteran French rider pipped Irishman Nicolas Roche - then riding for Team Sky - to overall victory in Scarborough last year.
Voeckler, of Direct Energie, now plans to make the Tour de Yorkshire his last race in the UK as he intends to retire after this summer's Tour de France.
He said: "I fell in love with the Tour de Yorkshire two years ago and it was a huge honour to win it after finishing third in 2015.
"This race feels like home for me because the crowd are always shouting my name, holding up banners or writing it on the road. I have never seen anything like it.
"I am looking forward to competing in Yorkshire one last time and I hope to have a major impact on the race, however I can."
Voeckler will defend his Tour de Yorkshire title from April 28 to 30 over three stages running from Bridlington to Scarborough, Tadcaster to Harrogate and Bradford to Sheffield.
The 37-year-old has won four stages of the Tour de France and worn the yellow jersey for 20 days in his career.
A cult hero among many cycling fans for his attacking style, he has become known for his variety of trademark facial expressions which tend to attract television cameras when he is feeling pain.
