An historic climb up Haworth’s iconic Main Street has been confirmed as one of the highlights of next year’s Tour de France route through the Bradford district.

The news of the famous cobbled street’s starring role was revealed in yesterday’s official announcement in Paris of the 2014 Tour de France.

The first and second stages of the 101st edition of the world’s most famous bike race will pass through the district on July 5 and 6 next year.

Councillor John Huxley, chairman of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council, said the route which includes Silsden, Keighley, Haworth and Stanbury and Oxenhope, will provide a challenge for the riders.

“Even though Main Street’s setts are a lot smoother than they used to be it’s going to be an interesting, steep challenge for the cyclists, though I’m told they do ride on similar types of street on the continent,” he said.

“It will make for very spectacular pictures of Haworth around the world, and will add to the colour of the whole occasion.”

Further along Aire Valley the first day of the world’s top cycle race will bring racers and thousands of fans to Skipton.

On Saturday, July 5, the Grand Depart of the epic race will travel from Leeds to Harrogate via Skipton, Addingham, Ilkley and Otley.

Bradford Council leader, Councillor David Green, said: “People from all over the world will see just how splendid the countryside is around Ilkley, Keighley and Haworth when the tour travels through this area on both July 5 and July 6 next year.

“It is bound to raise our profile and entice visitors from near and far for many years to come.

“This really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for people in and around Yorkshire to see the greatest annual sporting event up close and personal.”

Initial routes were announced earlier this year for the race, which will travel through 242 miles of Yorkshire’s countryside, towns and cities.

Ian Bairstow, the Council’s strategic director for environment and sport, said: “With an event of this scale, a large amount of advance planning is essential, and we have already been working for some months with our partners including the police, fire service, ambulance service, Metro, local hospitals, local businesses and tourist bodies, to ensure the event takes place as smoothly as possible.

“We are also providing guidance for people who want to set up temporary campsites or temporary car parks and people can visit our website bradford.gov.uk/ tourdefrance to find out more.

“We are also holding talks and presentations to invite people to get more involved in this spectacular event.”

Keighley Conservative MP Kris Hopkins said yesterday’s confirmation of the route was “magnificent news”.

“It truly is magnificent news that next year’s Tour will pass through Keighley, Ilkley, Silsden, Haworth and Oxenhope over the course of its two days in Yorkshire,” he said.

“Local preparations are already well under way to ensure that this probably once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show off all that is best about our part of the world to a massive global television audience is grabbed with both hands.

“The economic benefits, through increased tourism and other related spend, are potentially hugely significant.

“And there are many other positives to be gained, including the chance for neighbouring communities to work together. It can also act as a catalyst to encourage local people – young and old – to get active.

“Exciting times most certainly lie ahead.”

On July 5, the racers will enter Skipton along Otley road, race along Newmarket Street, before travelling up Skipton High Street past the castle and turning on to Raikes road, and leaving the town via Grassington Road.

Councillor Simon Myers, Craven District Council’s lead member for the Tour de France, said: “Having the race travel up the High Street is a fantastic opportunity for everyone and we want to ensure everyone, from businesses, to residents and visitors benefits.”

Christian Prudhomme, director of Le Tour said: “I know the Grand Depart in Yorkshire will be visually stunning and technically challenging and the third stage from the cycling city of Cambridge to the historic heart of London will provide a fitting finale.

“The British cycling fans are passionate people and I am sure they will line the routes of three stages cheering the teams and riders all the way from Yorkshire to London, providing an unforgettable start to the 2014 Tour.”

Cycling organisation Sustrans of Yorkshire said it was delighted with the promotional value of the Tour de France coming next summer.

David Hall, the charity’s regional director for the Yorkshire and the Humber region, said: “We are delighted Yorkshire will host the Grand Depart of the world’s most prestigious cycling road race.

“Cycling is a fast, cheap and healthy way to get around, but cycling levels in the country are very low, with only one in 50 trips by bike.

“The tour coming to Yorkshire is more than just the two days of competition, we hope the race will inspire people of all ages and abilities to get on their bikes and discover that you don’t have to be an elite cyclist to discover the joys of cycling.”

THE ROUTE

Stage One: Saturday, July 5, 2014

  • The route comes from Leeds via Harewood House to join the A659 through Pool-in-Wharfedale to Otley.
  • The riders will take Cross Green and Westgate through Otley and then join the A660 to Ilkley, passing along the A65 Burley bypass.
  • In Ilkley, the route follows Leeds Road and Skipton Road and then bypasses Addingham towards Skipton.
  • The riders leave the A65 to head into Skipton on the A6069 and then turning up the High Street and on to A6265 Raikes Road and Grassington Road towards the Dales.
  • The route goes past Rylstone, Threshfield, Kilnsey, Kettlewell and Buckden before tackling Kidstones Bank into Bishopdale.

Stage Two: Sunday, July 6, 2014

  • From Harrogate the route passes through Blubberhouses on the A59 and descends Beamsley Hill to the junction with Bolton Road at Bolton Bridge.
  • Turning left, the riders will head to Addingham on the B6160, turning right on to Main Street in the centre of the village and heading uphill towards Silsden.
  • Crossing the A65 bypass, the route follows the A6034 Bolton Road through Silsden and then turns left on to the A629 Airedale Road dual carriageway to Keighley.
  • The riders will then go through Keighley town centre on North Street and South Street before tackling the climb up to Cross Roads.
  • At Cross Roads, the route heads right on the B6142 down Mill Hey to Haworth, along Station Road and then up the cobbled Main Street.
  • At North Street, the peloton will turn left to Stanbury and then left again along Moorside Lane and Shaw Lane to Oxenhope.
  • From Oxenhope, the riders head uphill again on the A6033 Hebden Bridge Road towards Halifax.