Full route announced for 2017 Tour de Yorkshire
The third edition of the race takes place between 28-30 April 2017, and encompasses all four corners of the county.
The full route for the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire has been revealed today.
The third edition of the race takes place between 28-30 April 2017, and encompasses all four corners of the county.
Stage One – ‘The Coast and Wolds’ – starts in Bridlington and ends in Scarborough on Friday 28th April.
The race takes the peloton from the coast through the Yorkshire Wolds, starting outside Bridlington Spa and heading into Pocklington, before climbs up the Côtes de Garrowby Hill and Goathland. The race then heads through Whitby, onto Robin Hood’s Bay and then into Scarborough for the now-legendary finish along North Bay.
Stage Two – ‘Historic Market Towns’ – starts in Tadcaster and ends in Harrogate on Saturday 29th 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’ll venture into Knaresborough, Masham and Ripon before a fast approach to Harrogate.
Stage Three – ‘The Yorkshire Terrier’ – starts in Bradford and ends in Sheffield’s Fox Valley on Sunday 30th April. It’s named The Yorkshire Terrier because it’s the toughest stage in the history of the Tour de Yorkshire. Riders will start at Bradford City Park before heading into Saltaire, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Bolton Abbey and into the Yorkshire Dales. It then takes in Skipton and Clifton, into Penistone and Stocksbridge before the riders embark on a torturous 22km finishing circuit featuring four categorised climbs. These come at Deepcar, Wigtwizzle, Ewden Height and Midhopestones before the race reaches its climax at Fox Valley.
Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire 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.”
Tour de France director 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.”
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.
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.”
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.