ACCLAIMED artist Mackenzie Thorpe is designing a medal at this year's Tour de Yorkshire.

Mr Thorpe, who was last year the official artist of the event, has been asked to create the artwork for the 2020 Human Race medal.

More than 5,000 amateur riders will collect these newly-commissioned medals after completing the gruelling cycle on Sunday, May 3. The medal depicting three local cyclists cycling in tandem through the Yorkshire Dales above a sea of the artist's trademark bright red hearts.

He said: "It was a great honour to be involved in last year’s Tour de Yorkshire as the official artist, and also a fantastic way to celebrate our landmark 30th year. Following on from last year’s Human Race, it is great to be involved, and because of this, I really have relished the opportunity to create the medal again.”

“For my new design I took inspiration from the passion and drive I witnessed from the crowds and the cyclists at last year’s event - it was just incredible. It is an event that all of Yorkshire should be extremely proud of - it encapsulates the spirit of the people, and throws a spotlight on its extraordinary natural beauty."

Giving riders the chance to experience sections of the professional Tour de Yorkshire route, cyclists taking part in the 2020 Human Race will also be taking in a further 10km of the route, which will see riders tackle the infamous Greenhow Hill, before crossing the finishing line in Leeds city centre.