The full route for the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire race and its popular sportive, the Tour de Yorkshire Ride, have been unveiled at the Impressions Gallery in Bradford this morning. Bridlington, Scarborough, Tadcaster, Harrogate, Bradford and Sheffield will all host stage starts or finishes, while the sportive will follow the 194km route of stage 3 from Bradford to Fox Valley Sheffield on Sunday 30 April.
Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity led a packed press conference on Friday morning with the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)'s Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme. Scott Thwaites was one of many star riders in attendance along with Yorkshire cycling legends such as Brian Robinson, Malcolm Elliott and Denise Burton-Cole.
The third edition of the race takes place between 28-30 April 2017. It encompasses all four corners of the county and takes in Yorkshire's two UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Fountains Abbey and Saltaire.
Here's a breakdown of what riders and spectators can look forward to on the three stages:
STAGE ONE: 173km -THE COAST AND WOLDS
Bridlington to Scarborough, Friday 28 April
The race takes the peloton from the coast through the Yorkshire Wolds, starting outside the refurbished Bridlington Spa and heading into Pocklington for the first intermediate sprint. The classified climbs up the Côtes de Garrowby Hill and Goathland will get the legs pumping before the race hits the coastline again at Whitby where the riders will get a great view of the world-famous Abbey as they contest the second sprint of the day. The route continues on to Robin Hood's Bay for the third and final climb and then it's full steam into Scarborough for the now-legendary finish along North Bay.
STAGE TWO: 122.5km - HISTORIC MARKET TOWNS
Tadcaster to Harrogate, Saturday 29 April
Starting on Tadcaster bridge - which will be newly reopened following flood damage last Boxing Day - this stage takes the riders through some of Yorkshire's finest market towns. They will venture into Knaresborough, where the first intermediate sprint points are up for grabs, and the day's sole categorised climb comes on the fearsome Côte de Lofthouse before the descent into Masham. It's on to Ripon for the second intermediate sprint and the race will skirt the stunning Fountains Abbey before a fast approach to Harrogate. The action reaches its crescendo along Parliament Street, just as it did on the opening stage of the 2014 Tour de France.
STAGE THREE: 194.5km - THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER
Bradford to Fox Valley (Sheffield), Sunday 30 April
Named The Yorkshire Terrier as this is the toughest stage in the history of the Tour de Yorkshire, riders will start at Bradford City Park before heading into Saltaire. The action then briefly joins the 2014 Tour de France route at Burley-in-Wharfedale before passing the majestic Bolton Abbey and into the Yorkshire Dales. Skipton is the next town on the agenda, with the first of eight categorised climbs being contested on the Côte de Silsden.
The following ascent comes on the cobbled rise up Haworth's picturesque main street and another climb at Leeming must also be tackled before they face the infamous Côte de Shibden Wall. This cobbled brute could see splits form before the intermediate sprint at Clifton. The race then traverses from West to South Yorkshire and into Penistone, and another sprint is on the cards at Stocksbridge before the riders embark on a torturous 22km finishing circuit that features no-less than four categorised climbs. These come at Deepcar, Wigtwizzle, Ewden Height and Midhopestones before the race reaches its climax at Fox Valley.
Sir Gary Verity said: "I can't wait to see the world's best riders tackling these routes. We've worked hard to design a course which showcases Yorkshire's stunning scenery as well as delivering a thrilling sporting event.
"Last year the race attracted 2 million spectators and generated £60 million for the local economy, and we'll go from strength to strength again next year.
Christian Prudhomme said: "I always enjoy coming to Yorkshire and the county certainly knows how to put on a show. I am excited by what this year's route has in store and am sure it will provide three days of fantastic racing."
Asda Tour de Yorkshire
It was also announced that following the success of last year, the Asda Tour de Yorkshire women's race would be held on exactly the same route as stage two, with the women starting in the morning and the men in the early afternoon. The £50,000 prize pot is one of the largest in the sport, and a stellar cast of riders will be on hand to compete on Yorkshire roads in the UCI 1.2 ranked event.
Sir Gary Verity said: "It gives me a great sense of pride that we are leading the way in championing women's cycling. This race is one of the most lucrative in the sport, attracting the best teams and riders from across the globe, and the challenging course will provide a real test of ability in front of massive crowds."
Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride
Three routes of varying difficulty for the 2017 Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride sportive were revealed, giving 6,000 amateur cyclists the chance to ride key sections of the third stage just hours before the pros. Each one starts and finishes at Fox Valley Sheffield on Sunday 30 April. Full details on how to participate can be found at letour.yorkshire.com/sportive.
Sir Gary Verity said: "One of the things I most enjoy about cycling is that you can ride the same roads as the pros, and what better way to do so than with top-class support and thousands of other cyclists joining you along the way. The routes have been designed to cater for riders of all abilities and finishing on the same line as the pros is an amazing experience."
Nick Rusling, CEO of the sportive organisers Human Race, said: "As an amateur rider, this sportive offers a unique chance to experience the same phenomenal support that the pros will receive only a few hours later.
"Yorkshire's love of cycling is being brought to life for you to experience first-hand. Because of this the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride always proves a hugely-popular event so I'd advise entering quickly."
Official Tour de Yorkshire Charity - Alzheimer's Society
The Alzheimer's Society has been confirmed as the official charity for the third edition of the Tour de Yorkshire.
The news will signal the start of a range of fundraising initiatives throughout 2017 which aim to raise awareness of the great work the organisation does to care and support people affected by dementia.
Sir Gary Verity said: "We are proud to be partnering with the Alzheimer's Society for this year's Tour de Yorkshire. They deliver an invaluable service across Yorkshire and the UK, and the race provides a great platform for the Alzheimer's Society to fundraise and raise awareness. We will be supporting them wholeheartedly over the next 12 months."
Michael Dent, Director of Fundraising at Alzheimer's Society, said: "Alzheimer's Society are thrilled to have been selected to be the official charity partner of the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire. This fantastic event will give us the opportunity to raise awareness of dementia across Yorkshire and the whole of the UK, where over 850,000 people are currently living with dementia.
"Funds raised will help support our vital work in medical and social research, advice and support and campaigning. We also look forward to engaging new audiences with our Dementia Friendly initiatives, which help make life better for all those affected by dementia in our communities."
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