News story

Sir Paul Smith designs posters to celebrate Tour De France in UK

Fashion Designer launches posters alongside Culture Secretary Sajid Javid as excitement builds ahead of the world’s biggest cycle race.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Paul Smith and Sajid Javid

Iconic British Fashion Designer and passionate cycling enthusiast Sir Paul Smith has designed 3 posters as part of the cultural celebrations of the Tour De France coming to the UK.

Sir Paul was asked by the Culture Secretary Sajid Javid to contribute and he has designed 3 posters that mark each stage of the Tour de France in the UK.

Sir Paul Smith explains the thinking behind his Le Tour poster designs & talks #CreateUK

The biggest cycle race in the world begins in Leeds on Saturday (5 July). One poster reflects the first stage where the athletes will cycle 190 km from Leeds to Harrogate through the Yorkshire Dales. The second poster, in green, marks the second stage where they will cycle over the Peak District from York to Sheffield on Sunday 6 July while the third poster, in bright blue, celebrates the third stage from Cambridge to London, where the riders will finish on the Mall on Monday. The Tour will then continue in France.

View the posters on Flickr

As well as being presented to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport posters will also go to local authorities where the race passes through.

In keeping with the Tour being one of the greatest free sporting events in the world, the posters will also be free to download

Culture Secretary Said Javid said:

I am delighted Sir Paul agreed to get involved and help celebrate the world’s biggest cycle race arriving in the UK. I have no doubt the people of Yorkshire, Cambridge, Essex and London will be out in force to support this world-class event. The benefits to tourism and the economy as a whole will be felt in all of these areas.

Sir Paul Smith said:

The Tour de France doesn’t come to the UK too often so when I was asked by the Secretary of State for Culture to contribute to the build-up to this great sporting spectacle I was delighted.

Published 3 July 2014