HE might not have troubled the podium at the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, but Truro's Chris Opie did win the praise of three-time Ashes winner Matt Prior, writes Jack Miller.

Opie was helping make history last week as he took to the start line for the first ever edition of the race, an event born out of the legacy of the 2014 Tour de France kicking off in the county.

Despite his best efforts, the 27-year-old was unable to trouble the leaders as he finished down in 104th place, nearly 34 minutes behind overall winner Lars Petter Nordhaug of Team Sky.

Opie was riding for the new professional One Pro Cycling team, co-founded by England wicketkeeper Prior towards the end of last year.

While the ex-Penair School pupil might have got lost in the peloton, Prior was delighted with the Cornish star's efforts over three gruelling days, adamant he was a winner by simply taking to the start line.

Prior said "It's been an incredible event, and you just need to look at the scenes on the final day to see how cycling in the UK is only on the rise and will keep on growing.

"It's been incredible already to be part of One Pro Cycling. We're only eight-months-old, so to be involved in an event like this is a huge effort from the team and I'm so proud of each and every one of them, Chris included.

"They rode so hard, and I think gave a really good account of themselves and of the team. Hopefully we can learn from this and keep getting better."

Yorkshire Bank is an Official Partner of the Tour de Yorkshire and the groundbreaking Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries initiative.

For more information, visit www.ybonline.co.uk.