Tour of Yorkshire scheduled to debut next May

Welcome to Yorkshire, Tour de France organsisers ASO and British Cycling have announced that they have submitted a formal application to the UCI for the three day stage race they hope will provide a lasting sporting legacy from the Grand Depart.

Called the Tour of Yorkshire, it is planned to hold the inaugural edition of the UCI 2.1 category event from 1-3 May next year, with international TV coverage and attracting some of the world’s top teams.

Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme said:“Alongside the public interest for cycling, highlighted by the Grand Départ, Yorkshire boasts beautiful breathtaking scenery worthy of any of the cycling season’s major events. It therefore seems perfectly natural for Welcome to Yorkshire, British Cycling and ASO to continue working together in this new land of cycling, through the Tour of Yorkshire.

“In particular, this three-day stage race will offer television viewers worldwide the opportunity to continue discovering the splendid landscapes of this English region, a journey started by the Tour de France, whose Grand Départ this year will remain its founding act.”

Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive, Gary Verity, added: “When we bid to host the Tour de France we did so in the knowledge that this would be the start of a long relationship with ASO. So I am delighted to be able to announce this exciting new race for Yorkshire.

“Our county is a new cycling heartland of Europe and we look forward to welcoming back some of the world’s best riders in Yorkshire in less than 12 months’ time.”

As we reported last month, the race will visit parts of Yorkshire not included on the Grand Depart route, including Hull and the East Riding.