Start and finish points announced as race closes in
With less than 200 days to go until leading cyclists from around the world embark on the second annual Tour de Yorkshire, the towns which will host the departs and finishes of the three-day race have been revealed.
Beverley, Doncaster, Middlesbrough, Otley, Scarborough and Settle were all included on the list released on Friday 9th October, with each location chosen to bring out the best of the county.
The three-day men’s race will set off on Friday 29th April before concluding on Sunday 1st May, whilst the women’s stage is set to commence on Saturday 30th April.
Without revealing which towns will play which part in the route, there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the race which hopes to build on the 2015 success.
Speaking following the announcement of the six central race towns, Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “From the first moments of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, everyone who was there knew it was something special.
“I’m delighted that we are able to bring the 2016 race to all four corners of Yorkshire. It is testament to how much the county has taken the race to its heart that we have been oversubscribed for next year’s starts and finishes.
“The Tour de Yorkshire is an event in the cycling calendar that riders want to race in and we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best riders back to Yorkshire next year.”
Earlier this year, millions of people lined the streets of Yorkshire to cheer on cyclists with the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins, Ben Swift, Ed Clancy and Dame Sarah Storey helping to make the race a must-see event in any race-enthusiast’s calendar.
Thousands volunteered as Tour Makers whilst even more people took part in the Sportive, with both appeals returning to Yorkshire in 2016.
The impact of the inaugural race back in May can be seen throughout Yorkshire, not just in terms of the number of people inspired to take up cycling, be it to school, the shops, with a club or racing, but also through the availability of Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries.
The first Bike Library officially opened in June this year and thanks to over 1,500 bikes being donated, children who previously didn’t have a bike are now riding one for free.
The 2016 race will also be looking to emulate the economical success of this year’s race, with an estimated £40million brought into the local area over the course of the route.
