YORKSHIRE’S cricket captain has led the protests over a New Year honours snub for the man responsible for bringing the Tour De France to the county.

The event, which brought the world’s greatest cyclists to Yorkshire over three days in July, saw millions of people line the route and boosted the local economy by more than £100m.

Gary Verity, right, chief executive of tourism agency Welcome To Yorkshire, was one of the key architects of the event and the man who convinced Tour De France chiefs to opt for Northern England over several more high profile European destinations. He was thought by many to be a certainty for an honour before they were announced on Tuesday evening.

The Northern Echo: Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com -  05/07/2014 - Cycling - Tour de France 2014 Grand Depart - Stage 1, Leeds to Harrogate - Yorkshire, England - The peleton passes through the streets of Ilkley surrounded by spectators. (7953724)

However, Mr Verity was not among those from the region who received knighthoods, MBEs and CBEs.

Yorkshire Cricket Club captain Andrew Gale, below, led the storm of protest, taking to Twitter to voice his disapproval yesterday (Wednesday).

“Can someone tell me how @GaryVerity hasn’t got an MBE? Brought and organised one of the best sporting events the country’s ever seen?!” he wrote.

The Northern Echo: Andrew Gale

Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme had described the event, which attracted the likes of Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish and Alberto Contador to the dales, as “amazing, unforgettable and the grandest Grand Depart ever”.

But it seems that was not enough to sway the members of the committee which decides the honours.

Chief executive of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan Tweeted: “Disappointed not to see @GaryVerity (among the honours)”, while Twitter user Ian Briggs wrote: “Unfortunately @GaryVerity had to campaign hard for #tdf to come to #Yorkshire, undoubtedly annoying those in power. Is this their revenge?”

Peter Hepworth, of the North Yorkshire branch of CTC, the national cycling charity, said: “Gary has done a tremendous amount of work to raise the profile of cycling in Yorkshire and we’re now entering a ten-year period of legacy activity.

“We also have the Tour de Yorkshire as a follow-up. Although Gary’s efforts have not been recognised this time, we hope that next year he will be given further consideration.”

The Northern Echo: Dream Team: Rowing duo Kat Copeland (L) and Sophie Hosking

Olympic rowing gold medallist Kat Copeland, from Stokesley, North Yorkshire, above left, who received an MBE after the 2012 Olympics, said: “I’m quite surprised he didn’t receive an honour.

“They’re all about service and contributing something. I think bringing such a massive event to Yorkshire – where it’s never been before – opened so many new doors for the sport.”

The honours list, did, however, include awards for several of those who helped Mr Verity, including an MBE for Leeds City Council Tour co-ordinator Peter Smith.

Yesterday, Mr Verity, who lives on a farm in Coverdale, North Yorkshire, remained tight-lipped on the subject. But in the past he has openly joked how he did not have many friends in high places.

Speaking after the riders left the region, he said: “I am not expecting to get any sort of gong, or whatever you want to call it. You can put money on it.

“I am not the most popular with the establishment and there are a lot of politicians who would quite happily not have had it happened like it did last weekend - but that is for them.”