HIGH hopes for an east coast leg of the 2014 Tour De France race were dashed yesterday as that part of the county learned it would not feature in either of the two Yorkshire stages.

While organisers said 98 per cent of Yorkshire’s population will be within one hour of the route there was disappointment that the North York Moors, Ryedale, the Yorkshire Coast and most of The Vale of York were left out of the route.

Hambleton council leader Neville Huxtable said: “We are very disappointed that it won’t be travelling through Hambleton and its glorious countryside. But we will be working hard to promote the area and hope to welcome many of the millions of visitors to the race into Hambleton.

“We look forward to watching it and we wish those organising it the best of luck. This is a fantastic event for Yorkshire – and a great opportunity to showcase the area.”

The team at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which had hosted several visits from Tour de France organisers during the bidding procres, was “gutted”.

Marketing manager Danielle Ramsey said: “It’s a great disappointment. We are very gutted. It’s such a shame for the area.”