Wednesday, June 1 2016 Sutton Bank takes home Tour de Yorkshire land art trophy A giant piece of art featuring a horse, a ram and a wild boar riding a penny farthing has been crowned the winner of the Tour de Yorkshire land art competition. The whopping 70-metre high, 40-metre wide painting on the grassy airfield at the Yorkshire Gliding Club at Sutton Bank beat off fierce competition from 11 other finalists to take home the coveted land art trophy. The winning piece, entitled The Finest View, was commissioned by the North York Moors National Park Authority and Hambleton District Council and shows the animals looking out over what James Herriot called “the finest view in England.” Richard Gunton, director of park services for the North York Moors National Park Authority said: “The Tour de Yorkshire was a great event which also highlighted the beauty of the National Park and so we’re extremely proud to have won the competition. “I have no doubt that author James Herriot would have shared our pride as the land art design paid homage to his declaration that the view from Sutton Bank was the finest in England.” More than 2,000 votes were cast in the competition, which saw communities across the county come together to create dozens of spectacular pieces of land art to celebrate the Tour de Yorkshire 2016. Giant cycling jerseys at Sherburn in Elmet came a close second, while Giggleswick School’s stopwatch took third place. Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part from the artists, to the school children and volunteers right across the county who devoted so much time and effort into being part of the competition. “The standard of land art was truly incredible and really showcased the county’s talents and humour, as well as their passion for the race.” Images: 1. Sutton Bank’s winning land art 2. Jerseys in Sherburn in Elmet which came second 3. A giant stopwatch at Giggleswick School which came third Notes to Editors: Tour de Yorkshire is a Welcome to Yorkshire (WTY) / Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) race in association with British Cycling which holds a 2.1 European Tour UCI Classification. The Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire Race holds a 1.2 UCI Classification. The Tour de Yorkshire is an annual international race with a new route through Yorkshire each year. It forms part of the legacy of the historic Yorkshire Grand Départ of the Tour de France 2014, along with the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries which aim to offer every child in Yorkshire access to a bike. For more information contact: Hannah Bryan – Press Officer Email: [email protected] Phone: 0113 322 3578 Mobile: 07581 575 220 .