THE organisers of the Tour de France said they hope the crowds which lined the Grand Depart route turn out in force for a three-day international cycling race across Yorkshire.

Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) boss Christian Prudhomme said the race through the Yorkshire Dales in July had triggered a surge of interest in the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, to be staged from May 1 to 3 next year.

Tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire cemented a long-term deal in July with ASO and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the sport's governing body, to stage an annual race in the county.

The UCI, which has now formally approved the event, is due to reveal the race's route in the new year, but it is likely to mainly feature areas of the county that were not included in the opening stages of the Tour de France.

It is thought the first race route will run along the Yorkshire coast before heading west across the county.

Details of a one-day women's race, which is thought may feature Olympic silver medallist Lizzie Armistead and five-time world champion Marianne Vos, who many regard as the finest female cyclist of her generation, are due to be released in the coming months.

A mass participation sportive is also being planned as part of the event.

Organisers said the men's event has attracted interest from top teams, including sprinter Marcel Kittel's Giant-Shimano, who have said they would compete.

Team Sky are yet to reveal whether 2013 Tour de France winner Chris Froome will compete in the event.

Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, said: “It is now time to work together to bring a new race that will see some amazing riders and passionate crowds once again line the streets."

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, added he want to see the Tour de Yorkshire grow in the coming years to become known the world over.

He said: "We already have a huge amount of interest thanks to the Yorkshire Grand Départ, which captured the imagination of millions of people globally – and the Tour de Yorkshire will be a fitting legacy.

"We’re confident that come May, we’ll deliver something very special.”

Bob Howden, president of British Cycling, said: “To secure the approval of the UCI is terrific news and building on the huge success of the Grand Départ here in Yorkshire, we can drive up participation and work towards more people cycling more often.

"A new world-class race helps underline a commitment to cycling in all its forms.”