DELIGHTED cycling fans across the Bradford district are jubilant that the all-new Tour de Yorkshire route will again bring biking stars and huge crowds to local beauty spots.

One million fans are expected to line the route to see the world's top cyclists in action for the three stages of the first-ever Tour de Yorkshire race which starts on May 1.

And the third day's riding on this annual event will see the peleton tackle a 167km route from Wakefield then south to Barnsley before Holmfirth, where they pick up the Grand Départ route in reverse, racing to Ripponden before riding the iconic Cragg Vale – which in the Tour de France was the country’s longest continual climb and now becomes the longest continual descent.

The riders will then make their way to Hebden Bridge, Oxenhope and through the famous cobbled streets of Haworth, one of the most iconic images of the Tour de France in Yorkshire.

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After Oakworth and a steep climb at Goose Eye the riders will rocket down to Sutton, Glusburn, Kildwick, Silsden, Addingham and then to Ilkley, with the famous climb up past the Cow & Calf rocks.

From Menston they will drop down to Otley before a sprint point at Arthington and then on to a thrilling finish line in Roundhay Park, Leeds.

The race will be shown live on television across Europe, again shining a spotlight on Yorkshire.

The event is being organised by Welcome to Yorkshire and Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), with support from British Cycling and local authorities.

Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France at A.S.O., said: “After the grandest of Grand Départs of the Tour de France, we were keen to return to Yorkshire."

As well as the elite competition, the Tour de Yorkshire Ride is a mass public bike ride before the pro race on the morning of the final day, May 3, in which thousands are expected to take part.

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “The Tour de Yorkshire will bring back many of the world’s top cycling teams and there will be an opportunity for ordinary people to ride the same roads on the same day in the sportive."

Haworth parish councillor and trader Nikki Carroll said: "This is another fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our beautiful landscape and for communities to get involved in a spectacular event."

Bradford Council leader, Councillor David Green said: "We hope people really get behind this new event in the same way as they did last July.”

Keighley MP Kris Holland said: "“I am absolutely delighted that the first ever Tour de Yorkshire will be passing along some of the very same roads in Keighley and Ilkley which gave such an enthusiastic welcome to the Tour de France last year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

“The many positive benefits of the Tour de France are still being felt, particularly in relation to increased tourist spend and greater participation in cycling, and we can now cement these gains well into the longer term."

Otley and Menston MP Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) said: "It is great news that the new Tour of Yorkshire is passing through Arthington, Pool and Otley as the Tour de France did on that historic day last year."

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