UKC

Why the "de" rather than "of". They speak English in Yorkshire and French in France, so how and why did this name first apply to the Yorkshire tour? Why bastardise/copy the French Tour de France and mix the languages?  Serious question.

A nod to the grand depart that started it off, and a bit of fun.

Thanks. 

Indeed, 'cote de' for the climbs always make me smile...

As Will said it’s a non th le grand depart (must be said with french accent) and why the continue naming the climbs a la Tour de France way for example cote de greenhow hill

I like it and think it adds character to the race which is really becoming a major event.

Just look at the quality of the riders out there this year

As in Cote de Buttertubs!

Absolutely, takes me back to boyhood rides out from my grandparents house in Leeds. In fact the 2nd sprint tomorrow is almost outside their old house...

I tried to Anglicise it/ Yorkify it in pub talk and got a dislike for it.

Tom, in tarn speak it'd be Tour er Yorkshire, so "de" flows better than "of" I think.

Women"s race looking good with live coverage too.

But the Tour is “Tour de France” because ‘France’ is feminine. Yorkshire, don’t ask why, is masculine, and as we all know, you can’t say, ‘de le’, instead it becomes ‘du’.  

So calling it the Tour de Yorkshire highlights the organisers linguistic ignorance. By all means give a nod towards Le Tour, but call it the Tour du Yorkshire.

Here endeth today’s French lesson...... 

I look forward to the French race being 'corrected' to "Le tour de la France".

Absolutely, which maybe it originally is was, before being abbreviated through time?

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k4624741c/f1.item

Apparently not

The organisers are French.

I was curious, so looked up the 'rule':

https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/fr-de-la-france-article.13968/

But nobody, as far as I know, can explain why most countries are feminine, but Canada, Portugal and Denmark for example are masculine

Rules, grammar and logic were grafted onto existing languages of illiterate populations. They're a late addition and not necessarily accurate reflection of usage then and now.

Which is definitive, usage or rules?

True, but whatever the derivation, as far as usage today goes, there’s a right and a wrong!

Surely if he was French, the scoundrel would be called Verite ( two acute accents). Either way it's a bit of a misnomer, considering his form.

Or even Frances de la Tour

;~))

Kilnsey redpointer getting a starring role in the helicopter shot just now. Kudos 😀

Watched them going up the Cote de Otley Chevin this afternoon towards the finish. Lovely atmosphere, loads of locals and friends. Great event!

What a finish to the race too. Fantastic stuff