THE cycle wheels had barely stopped spinning before questions were spinning around about whether public funding for the Tour de Yorkshire was an appropriate use of local taxpayers’ money.

We have heard similar questions in the wake of major national sport triumphs, such as at the recent Commonwealth Games or London 2012, when the costs of securing impressive medal hauls and hosting international events, were balanced against how that money could have been used to fill potholes, fund rural bus services or pay for more nurses.

We believe that these are fair questions to ask. With so many public services at risk, or axed already, it is right and proper that sporting events, no matter how impressive, are scrutinised for the real value they deliver.

There is no denying that Yorkshire has moved through the pack in recent years to become a venue to be reckoned with in the world of cycling. Anyone who stood in the sun at the weekend and enjoyed the sight of riders whizzing at breakneck seeds through stunning countryside cannot help but be impressed and feel a sense of pride that our region was being showcased to a national TV audience. Organisers are become so adept at hosting premier events on two wheels there is already talk of bringing the opening stage of Spain’s version of the Tour de France to Yorkshire. This would be another feather in the cap of Sir Gary Verity and his team.

There is no limit to their ambition and we applaud them for that.

But we also want councils who help fund these spectacular showpieces to prove to local people that along with the kudos these events deliver value for money.