BIKE fever has taken off all over North Yorkshire, nowhere more so than in the towns and villages along the Tour's long and winding route.
The bunting is up, picnics are being planned and anticipation is high as many of the best riders in the world prepare to descend on the county to thrill the crowds with their speed, stamina and determination.
PRIZE: The distinctive Tour de Yorkshire trophy
And the line-up this year includes British cycling superstar Mark Cavendish for the first time, back in action after a crash in Italy last month that left him with a fractured rib and a damaged ankle.
This year's race is only the fourth to be held – but in a few short years it has become entrenched as one of the biggest races in UK cycling's calendar and one that is also followed closely by fans across the globe.
It all began in 2014 when the Grand Départ of the sporting juggernaut that is the Tour de France was held, with great fanfare, in Yorkshire.
The response was huge, astonishing even the French, with millions lining the route to cheer on the two-wheeled heroes usually only seen via a TV screen.
It sowed the seeds and within months it was announced that the first Tour de Yorkshire would be held the following year organised by Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation, the group behind the Tour de France.
The 2015 debut of the three-day event was a triumph. It exposed the region to the world and generated about £50m for the local economy.
The rest has become history. The figures around the event grew year-on-year, attracting more spectators, more TV viewers and creating even more cash for the region – in 2017 that was estimated at £64m.
And this year's event could be the biggest yet as it has been extended to four days, starting on Thursday, May 3, and finishing on Sunday, May 6.
The first stage will take the riders on a 182km twisting route from Beverley to Doncaster while day two will cover 149km from Barnsley to Ilkley.
Day three will bring the riders 184km through the heart of North Yorkshire, with the riders rolling out from the cobbled market place of Richmond and heading for Catterick Garrison before the start flag is lowered.
They will sweep through Wensleydale, continue to Leyburn, and go on to Morton-on-Swale where an intermediate sprint will be fought out.
After Northallerton and Thirsk the riders will head on up to the North York Moors via the muscle-wrenching climb of the fearsome Sutton Bank.
Then it will be on through Helmsley and on to Pickering for a second intermediate sprint. After another climb up what the organisers are calling the Côte de Silpho, the peloton will go on to Scarborough and from there the riders will head to Filey seafront before coming inland and back towards Scarborough to finish on the North Bay.
The final day will run a 189km route from Halifax to Leeds but will also see some gruelling action in North Yorkshire as the riders swing high into the Dales, heading up to Middleham before heading south through East Witton, Jervaulx and Masham and Kirkby Malzeard.
Towns and villages along the North Yorkshire route are well advanced with their celebratory plans – and visitors can expect music and and a host of activities with big screens, exhibitions, decorations, games and plenty of fun along the way.
The 2018 women's Tour de Yorkshire has been extended to two days, starting on Thursday, May 3, and features the same start and finish towns of the opening two stages of the men’s race.
The finale will see riders head up the notorious Cow and Calf climb on the outskirts of Ilkley, meaning the overall race win could be decided on this section.
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