Keighley, Ilkley, Otley, Haworth and Skipton will see the world’s best cyclists racing through their streets next summer when the Tour de France makes its way through Yorkshire.

The route of the Yorkshire leg was announced yesterday, revealing the race passes through the district twice in two days.

Estimates suggest that it could boost the local economy by tens of millions of pounds and put the towns and villages on the map.

The race’s Grand Depart will be held in Leeds on July 5, 2014, with competitors riding through Otley, Ilkley and Skipton on the way to Harrogate.

On day two the race goes from York through Silsden, Keighley and Haworth on the way to Sheffield. The action then moves to London and France.

Reaction to the announcement has been ecstatic, with many predicting 2014 to be a bumper summer for the Bradford area.

The decision to bring the world famous race to Yorkshire for the first time follows a huge push by tourism group Welcome To Yorkshire, with race organisers impressed with what they saw.

Councillor David Green (Lab, Wibsey), leader of Bradford Council, said: “I’m delighted the route is coming through the district on both days. We need to make sure we make the most of the benefits such a major sporting event will bring. It will boost the local economy and we will work with partners in the private sector to look at ways we can make the most out of it for the benefit of the whole district.”

He defended the payment of more than £330,000 for the Tour de France to come to Yorkshire – even though it will miss the city.

Coun Green insisted that in no way was the sum meant to be in exchange for the race coming through Bradford city centre.

He said: “We have made a financial contribution to the bid, as have all other local authorities in the West Yorkshire area.

“We are expecting that any financial contribution made by the Council will be more than compensated by the additional boost of the event coming to Yorkshire, yet alone the Bradford district. ”

Asked if he was disappointed the Tour was missing the city centre, Coun Green said: “This Council represents the whole of Bradford district. There will always be areas that were not going to be included in the route.

“My personal gut feeling was that Bradford city centre was not likely to figure. The fact it is coming through the district that I am ultimately responsible for gives us a great opportunity to maximise benefit.”

Coun Susan Hinchliffe, the Council’s portfolio holder for tourism, said: “It will bring in people who will spend money in hotels, restaurants and local businesses. Look at when the Olympic torch came to the area – it attracted lots of crowds and brought in a lot of money. This will be the same and much more.”

John Dennis, chairman of Sport Keighley, said: “It is the perfect opportunity to show off our district. Hopefully people will come here for cycle holidays after seeing it. It is something we really need to cash in on. Welcome to Yorkshire have done a fantastic job selling the area, and we need to keep that momentum going. The amount of cycling stuff going on in Bradford and Keighley is amazing.

“This is something the whole world will be watching. I don’t think some people realise how big the sport is.

“In terms of its effect on Yorkshire, this will be bigger than the Olympics. And as soon as the race has gone people can have a go riding the routes themselves.”

Four-time British cycling champion Sid Barras lives in Whitley Head, Steeton, said: “I am totally delighted, it is really going to heighten the profile of local cycling. Keighley has its problems, but this could be the boost the town needs. It is really exciting. You are not going to get better racing roads then around here – they can be really tough but this race will feature the creme de la creme of cycling.”

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said: “I am absolutely thrilled on behalf of local people. The Tour de France is one of the world’s biggest and best classic sporting events and is on a scale not yet fully appreciated in this country.

“I have no doubt that it will also encourage people of all ages to dust off their bikes, pull on their helmets and get peddling.

“There are few announcements in my experience with no downsides, but this is one of them.”

When the tour passes through Ilkley, it will be viewed by members of the country’s fastest growing cycling club. Having reformed after decades of inactivity in 2011, the Ilkley Cycling club has more than 1,000 members, including many young riders.

Member Jonathan Riley said: “We are ecstatic. Think what it was like when the Olympic torch came through and multiply that ten or 20 fold. It is a great news story, especially when things about cycling in the news are not so good. It is great for business and great for anyone trying to sell anything Yorkshire. It puts us on the map.”

Haworth Parish Councillor John Huxley said: “I’m delighted to have a top sporting event coming through the village. It is a great opportunity for people to see world-class athletes on their doorstep. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m sure the village will embrace.”

Nikki Carroll, owner of Firth’s of Haworth on Main Street, says the race will undoubtedly boost local trade.