Richard III to greet Tour de Yorkshire cyclists speeding through Middleham

Champions on two wheels will take the place of those on four legs as the Tour de Yorkshire runs through Middleham on Sunday.

The famous racing town is marking the arrival of some of the world’s top cyclists with a huge work of land art on its training grounds.

The installation, at the eastern end of the grass and all-weather gallops, is entitled 'Revenge is a dish best taken cold' and shows a cyclist trailing behind King Richard III on his charger.

They are galloping towards the winning post, in which can be seen a modern racehorse in front of a silhouette of Middleham Castle – where Richard III spent his boyhood and where he later made his family home.

The Middleham Trainers Association was among the organisations to put money towards the artwork, which will be complemented by a cycling for fun event to be held in the town before the race arrives in early afternoon.

Trainers Association chair James Bethell said: "Middleham has gone to town. It's good to show off the area at its best, especially if the weather is going to be as good as they say.

"I know Mark Johnston is very keen on it because he's a great cycling enthusiast and it will be a good day."

There will be a street party on the main Market Square, with barbecue, bouncy castle and children’s early-evening disco.

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