Matt Clark looks at how York is preparing for the Tour de France.

THE countdown is on. In 100 days’ time, the world’s biggest annual sporting event comes to our doorstep.

York, Harrogate, Leeds and the stunning Yorkshire countryside will be shown off to an estimated two million visitors and a TV audience of billions in 188 countries. In York alone, 180,000 visitors are expected, effectively doubling the city’s population for two days.

The Grand Départ starts on July 5 at Leeds Town Hall and ends on Harrogate’s West Park, where Mark Cavendish will be hoping to take the yellow jersey in his mother's home town.

The following day a 200 strong peloton sets off from York racecourse before taking to the city’s historic streets, past Clifford’s Tower, The Mansion House and Minster.

It will then head to Clifton and out along Boroughbridge Road. Such is the excitement in York that 20,000 free tickets were snapped up within four hours of release.

Those who live in the city will be the real winners – and not just from the tour itself. The ambience and buzz in July is going to be extraordinary.

York’s café culture will take on a French flavour, when St Leonard’s Place is transformed into a 1940s Parisian boulevard.

Then there are Gallic themed attractions such as Maintenant; a newly commissioned conceptual art sound installation by award winning artist Lee Lewis and, at the Theatre Royal, Hit the Road Jacques; an evening of French classic songs.

Not to mention live street music, artists and entertainment.

York has long had French connections, particularly during the Second World War when airmen from occupied France were based near the city.

To commemorate the fact the Theatre Royal will premiere, in collaboration with the Yorkshire Air Museum, Cis and Barbiche which is based on recently discovered letters from Elvington wartime airman, Francis Usai to his English sweetheart Barbara Rigby.

Free French Air Force officers also danced nights away at De Grey Rooms and on July 2, the venue will host Le Grand Bal des Officiers Français 1944-2014; a ball in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, the Grand Départ’s official partner.

It is the only key celebration event so far planned for the city centre and is expected to be attended by many well-known celebrities.
 

Tour de France fact file:

• 3 billion people watching worldwide

• 15 million spectators along the route

• 3600 km covered

• 2200 vehicles involved

• 200 riders taking part

• 190km of riding in Yorkshire

• 188 viewing countries

• 22 teams competing

• 9 helicopters covering from the air

• 3 stages in the UK

• 2 stages in Yorkshire

• One chance to see the Tour de France in York.