THE news that Middlesbrough has been named as one of six towns to host start or finish events for the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire cycle race has been welcomed.

Racing will begin and end in Beverley, Doncaster, Middlesbrough, Otley (Leeds), Scarborough and Settle when the three day men’s race takes place over Friday, April 29 and Sunday, May 1 and the women’s race will be held on Saturday, April 30.

The inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, organised by Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), was held in May this year and attracted one and a half million spectators and over six million global television viewers.

Announcing next year's event, Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “From the first moments of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, everyone who was there knew it was something special.

"I’m delighted that we are able to bring the 2016 race to all four corners of Yorkshire. It is testament to how much the county has taken the race to its heart that we have been oversubscribed for next year’s starts and finishes.

“The Tour de Yorkshire is an event in the cycling calendar that riders want to race in and we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best riders back to Yorkshire next year.”

The exact details have yet to be finalised but the news that the race will come through Middlesbrough has already got people excited.

“I’ll be turning out to cheer the riders and teams when Middlesbrough hosts the Tour de Yorkshire next April.” said Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald. “This is brilliant news and a terrific achievement for our town.

“I am certain locals will come out in their thousands to see this very special event and give a warm Boro welcome to the world’s best riders.

“The timing is also perfect as it give a further boost to cycling generally, at the town’s increasingly popular cycling circuit as well as for aspiring track cyclists at the fantastic new velodrome in the Sports Village."

And the town's Mayor, David Budd added: "We are absolutely delighted that the Tour de Yorkshire is coming to Middlesbrough – it is a huge event and a massive coup for the town and the whole of Teesside.

“In recent years we have worked closely with British Cycling and other organisations on a host of initiatives including Sky Rides and grassroots events and also developed world class facilities such as the Cycle Circuit and new Velodrome at Middlesbrough Sports Village."

With both Settle and Scarborough hosting a start or finish of race, the leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Carl Les, said: “There is no doubt that the county of Yorkshire has firmly established itself on the international cycling map and it is important that North Yorkshire plays a key role, as we know how these events have strengthened the county’s economy and given a huge boost for our tourism industries."