CYCLISTS on the Tour de Yorkshire sportive will be fed by a Michelin-starred chef, all thanks to a luxury Italian car company.

Maserati, who are the makers of Ghibli cars, will sponsor the Tour de Yorkshire Rides on Sunday, May 3, when more than 6,000 amateur cyclists will ride 50 km, 108 km, or 140 km along some of the roads which are also to be ridden by world-famous professional cyclists on the same day.

The company has recruited leading chef Alan Murchison to provide food at one of the feeding stations along the routes taken by the thousands of amateur cyclists. Mr Murchison said: “As a keen cyclist myself, I know how tired you can get of sticky sports nutrition by the end of a ride.

“I will be looking to use fresh Yorkshire produce and apply an Italian twist to surprise and delight riders, and give them the boost they need to see them home.”

David Millar is one of only two Britons to wear the leader’s jersey in all three Grand Tours.

He will be the Maserati Cycling ambassador and help sportive riders prepare for their rides.

Peter Denton, the regional manager for Maserati North Europe, said: “The excitement generated nationally by last year’s Grand Départ was mirrored across our team and network. The Tour de Yorkshire legacy event provides a suitably high profile cycle ride with which to kick off our two-wheeled activity.”