The race, which will be held on 1-3 May, is expected to become a flagship cycling event in the UK in 2015 and an outstanding cycle race in the international calendar, including the participation of top international teams and cycling stars. It will be broadcast live on national TV and throughout Europe.

 

The full route details will be revealed on January 21st, on the 100 days to go to the race.

 

The Tour de Yorkshire is a new race being held by Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) and Welcome to Yorkshire (WTY), supported by British Cycling.

 

Director of the Tour de France at A.S.O., Christian Prudhomme, said: “I am delighted we are returning to Yorkshire where we saw the grandest ever Grand Départ for the Tour de France. It is clear the people of Yorkshire are passionate about cycling and we can’t wait to bring them this new race.”

 

More than 3 million people turned out to see the Tour de France in Yorkshire and the economic impact has been put at well over £100million. Organisers say the new race will build on the hugely successful Grand Départ and is at the heart of Cycle Yorkshire, the legacy of the Tour de France.

 

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “This is another huge milestone for Yorkshire as we position the county as the cycling heartland of Europe. This is the first ever Tour de Yorkshire, I am confident it will become a huge annual event and something that will raise Yorkshire’s profile year on year.”

 

Much of the new race will be in parts of the county the Tour de France didn’t touch.

 

Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The East Riding is an area with a great passion for cycling, a passion that can be summed up by the on-going success of the East Yorkshire Classic Cycling Weekend, which sees some of the country’s top cyclists ride through Beverley, and the mass participation of the recent Sky Ride Local scheme. Hosting a major sporting event will have untold benefits for the whole county in terms of tourism and boosting the local economy and the council will make every effort to capitalise on this."

 

The deputy leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Councillor Carl Les, added: “There is no doubt the Tour de France was a huge boost for North Yorkshire and we’re keen to support this new race, which will further strengthen the region’s economy. After the dales benefited directly from the Tour de France, we’re particularly pleased to welcome the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire to North Yorkshire’s beautiful east coast and moors.”

 

British Cycling are supporting the new race and their President, Bob Howden, said: “This new annual race partnering Welcome to Yorkshire and A.S.O. with British Cycling will help to maintain the legacy progress gained so far, helping us to achieve our collective goals of inspiring more people to get on their bikes and get active. Events of this calibre show to the world that Britain has what it takes to be the par excellence deliverer of iconic world class showpieces.”

 

The race will have three stages over the Bank Holiday weekend in May running from Friday through to Sunday.

 

A mass sportive with several distances where people can ride the same route as the Pros will be held on day three (3 May) and thousands are expected to take part in what will be a historic first for the county. The mass ride will be delivered by Human Race – owners of the Dragon Ride and many other sportives – in collaboration with the Tour de Yorkshire organisers. Starting today, people can apply to enter the sportive on the Tour de Yorkshire website in order to enjoy a privileged entry fee www.letouryorkshire.com

 

Bernard Hinault, five times Tour de France winner, said: “The Tour de France has had a sportive alongside it for many years and it’s a unique experience for amateur riders to ride at L’Etape; so to have this similar experience available at the Tour de Yorkshire will be magnifique and something all keen riders will want to be part of.”

 

The Tour de Yorkshire will be an annual event with 2015 being the inaugural race.

 

ADDITIONAL COUNCIL QUOTES:

 

Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The Grand Départ of last year's Tour De France was a great success for the whole of Yorkshire and well and truly put the county on the global map. Following an approach from Welcome to Yorkshire, the council has agreed to be part of the first Tour de Yorkshire, subject to contracts being signed, and would see East Yorkshire host a section of the race. The East Riding is an area with a great passion for cycling, a passion that can be summed up by the on-going success of the East Yorkshire Classic Cycling Weekend, which sees some of the country’s top cyclists ride through Beverley, and the mass participation of the recent Sky Ride Local scheme. Hosting a major sporting event will have untold benefits for the whole county in terms of tourism and boosting the local economy and the council will make every effort to capitalise on this."

 

Leeds City Council executive member for digital and creative technology, culture and skills Councillor Lucinda Yeadon said: “We are pleased to be involved in hosting the Tour de Yorkshire, which promises to be an exciting new international event for the city and county as a legacy of the wonderful success of the Tour de France Grand Départ. We look forward to further discussions on the new race in the weeks to come.”

 

The deputy leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Councillor Carl Les, said: “There is no doubt the Tour de France was a huge boost for North Yorkshire and we’re keen to support this new race, which will further strengthen the region’s economy. After the dales benefited directly from the Tour de France, we’re particularly pleased to welcome the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire to North Yorkshire’s beautiful east coast and moors.”

 

Cllr Tom Fox, Leader of Scarborough Borough Council, said: “We are extremely proud that Scarborough has been chosen to host the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire next May and we look forward, with excitement, to working with all partners to deliver a truly first class event here on the Yorkshire coast.”

 

Leader of Selby District Council, Cllr Mark Crane, explained his delight at the area’s involvement in the Tour de Yorkshire, “This is a massive coup for Selby. We expect that being part of this race will bring in many hundreds of visitors and is a great opportunity for us to showcase this area to the rest of the region, nationally and even internationally. Cycling is important to our area – for example last year we saw a big increase in the number of people who took part in the Selby Sportive and our district forms an important part of the Trans Pennine Trail cycling route. We know from the experience of the Tour de France the tremendous economic value of events such as this – although the Tour de Yorkshire will be a smaller race we still expect to see significant interest because of the calibre of riders and teams expected.  We also know that exposure from events such as this encourage people to visit in the longer term too.  What a great opportunity for our district and, importantly, our businesses: that’s why we threw our weight behind trying to get the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire into the district.”

 

Councillor Peter Box CBE, Leader of Wakefield Council, said:  “Last year’s Yorkshire Grand Départ of the Tour de France was hugely successful, both as a sporting event and in raising the profile of the region. I am very pleased that Welcome to Yorkshire is continuing its legacy by organising the Tour de Yorkshire race next summer. I am looking forward to working with Welcome to Yorkshire on the event.”

 

Cllr Tracey Simpson-Laing, City of York Council Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “After the breathtaking 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart in York and Yorkshire, the City of York Council is proud to be supporting the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire. We look forward to showing the best of York to the world once again and we hope residents and visitors will show their support to some of the world’s best racing cyclists.”