AREAS of the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales national parks will feature in next year’s Tour de Yorkshire alongside tourist hotspots including Whitby and UN World Heritage Site Fountains Abbey, it has been announced.
Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Sir Gary Verity and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme revealed more than half of the three-day international cycling race from April 28 to 30 would be on North Yorkshire’s roads.
Civic and business leaders of towns and villages along the route have spoken of their joy at being included in the race, which last year attracted two million spectators and generated £60m for the local economy.
Businesswoman and chairman of Masham Parish Council, Councillor Flo Grainger said: “It is absolutely amazing, we could not be more delighted.
“A lot of people have come back to Masham since the Tour de France, it has helped enormously, so this is an early Christmas present for the town.”
Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Adrian Morgan said: “As well as helping businesses it will be spectacular and exciting for the residents.”
“I am sure the Tour De Yorkshire will raise the profile of Ryedale nationally and internationally and bring financial benefits to businesses throughout the area”, added Councillor Linda Cowling, leader of Ryedale District Council.
North Yorkshire County Council leader Councillor Carl Les said three starts and finishes in the county would present “a significant logistical challenge” to ensure the minimum of disruption, while giving crowds of spectators the access they need.
“Although there will be some disruption associated with the race, we also know there will be significant economic benefit to businesses in our county, from both the spectators and the television and media coverage that comes with the race,” he added.
Commonwealth Games road race bronze medallist Scott Thwaites joined cycling legends Brian Robinson, Malcolm Elliott and Denise Burton-Cole at Impressions Gallery, in Bradford, as it emerged the third edition of the race would encompass all four corners of Yorkshire.
The 173km first stage, from Bridlington to Scarborough, will take the peloton from the coast through the Yorkshire Wolds to classified climbs in Heartbeat village Goathland, in the North York Moors National Park, before the race returns to the coast at Whitby, where the riders will contest the second sprint of the day.
The route continues on to Robin Hood’s Bay for the third and final climb before a finish in Scarborough.
The second stage, covering 122.5km, will start on Tadcaster bridge - which will be newly reopened following its collapse during floods last year - and take riders through market towns, such as Knaresborough.
The day’s sole categorised climb at Lofthouse, in Nidderdale, comes before a descent into Masham. The route then turns south to Ripon for the second sprint and the race will pass Fountains Abbey before a fast approach to Harrogate, where Mark Cavendish crashed out of the Tour de France in 2014.
The Asda Tour de Yorkshire women’s race, one of the most lucrative in the sport with a £50,000 prize, will be held on the stage two route, hours before the men’s race restarts.
The 194.5km final stage will see the riders race from Bradford to Sheffield and pass through the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Sir Gary said: “I can’t wait to see the world’s best riders tackling these routes. We’ve worked hard to design a course which showcases Yorkshire’s stunning scenery as well as delivering a thrilling sporting event.”
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