BBC commentator Hugh Porter says that the decision to start the Tour de France in Yorkshire in 2014 should give the county’s cycling greats another moment in the spotlight.

“They should let Brian Robinson (Mirfield) officially start a stage,” said the 72-year-old four-times world professional pursuit champion ahead of tomorrow's official announcement of the route in Leeds.

“Brian was the first Briton to win a stage in the Tour de France (1958), and they shouldn’t forget Barry Hoban either.

“Barry, from Wakefield, won eight stages of the Tour between 1967 and 1975 - a total which was only bettered recently by Mark Cavendish.

“Yorkshire have produced some great cyclists, such as Sid Barras (Keighley), who won a stage of the Tour of Switzerland, and Dudley Hayton (Shipley), who won a stage in the Milk Race.”

Porter, who was commentating as usual on the National Cyclo-Cross Championship at Peel Park in Bradford last weekend, added: “It is fantastic news that Yorkshire has won the right to start the Tour.

“It follows on from Yorkshire winning more medals in the Olympic Games than Australia, and I hope they take the Tour up Holme Moss, near Holmfirth.”