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The route for "One of the biggest and most exciting cycling events in the UK in 2015" – the Tour de Yorkshire – has today been revealed.
With last year’s Tour de France grand depart taking in some of the very same views announced today, it is expected that the race will once again inject plenty into the local economy. The Tour de France was reportedly worth £150 million to the UK.
The race is being organised by Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation, with support from British Cycling and local authorities throughout the county, especially the start and finish towns and cities; Bridlington, Leeds, Scarborough, Selby, Wakefield, York and North Yorkshire County Council and East Riding Council.
Several bike shops monetised and marketed around the Tour’s appearance last year and the return of such a large scale race once again presents opportunities for cycling businesses large and small.
In our break down of the stats, it has been revealed that Yorkshire’s economy benefitted to the tune of £102 million, while Cambridgeshire, Essex and London shared a further £30 million. The figures are expected to continue to rise too, as cycle tourists continue to take on the challenging route.
The routes revealed today for the Tour de yorkshire are:
- Stage 1 on Friday 1st May will start in Bridlington and finish in Scarborough – 174km – View Map
- Stage 2 on Saturday 2nd May will start in Selby and finish in York – 174km – View Map
- Stage 3 on Sunday 3rd May will start in Wakefield and finish in Leeds – 167km – View Map
A series of sportives for both men and women will also follow the race on the final day, both of which you can register for here. Three distances will feature – 50km, 100km and 140km – as well as a women-only 50km Cycleta ride.
Welcome to Yorkshire is also organising a month long Tour de Yorkshire Festival from 1 April to 3 May 2015 to showcase the county’s rich and diverse cultural offering. The Yorkshire Festival, which accompanied the Tour de France Grand Départ, will be held in 2016.
There are, however, downsides to such large scale cycling events, as claimed this week by waste management company BigGreen.co.uk, who suggest that the clean up operation is still ongoing.
Follow @letouryorkshire for further updates on the main race and sportives.
