Froome! Froome!

To the most tremendous roars from the crowd followed by a chant of 'Yorkshire! Yorkshire!', the first breakaway group followed by the peloton (with Froome second from the left) was welcomed through Ilkley with intense excitement.

A few years ago, I went with a couple of friends to watch the start of the Tour in London followed by the finale in Paris which were both magnificent. I remember the Caravane upping the heart beats of anticipation as it preceded the cyclists and it was no different today.

Rich's mum and brother-in-law, Chris, joined us for the day. The weather could not have been more perfect - a dousing of water in the early hours to bring out the rich greens of Yorkshire followed by blue skies and cotton wool clouds as the cyclists approached.

We watched the rest of the ride on the big screens in Ilkley and for those of you who were concerned Little Dog might have missed it after her efforts, I dashed home on the train to collect her. She enjoyed the last half hour with the crowds, the big screen and the cheers as well as the heart ache of Cavendish falling in the last few moments.

I think Yorkshire has united most admirably to pull off such a magnificent day.