Tour de Yorkshire race route unveiled

The Tour de Yorkshire will return to the roads of last year’s Tour de France Grand Départ it was announced today, as the full route of the three-day legacy event, scheduled to take place on May 1-3, was unveiled in Bridlington.

The climb of Oxenhope Moor and a descent down Cragg Vale, England’s longest continuous climb, will feature on stage three of the race on May 3, which traces a good chunk of stage two of last year’s Tour in reverse.

Stage one will visit the stunning roads of the North York Moors, not included in the 2014 Tour de France, while stage two will conclude with a sprint finish into York.

A non UCI-ranked women’s event will also take place on May 2 in York.

A mass participation ride based in Leeds is planned for May 3; with around 3,000 places expected to be available, further details will be announced on January 28.

“After the grandest of Grand Départs of the Tour de France, we were keen to return to Yorkshire,” said Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France.

“With its stunning landscapes, iconic cities and tough climbs, Yorkshire offers all the ingredients needed for a great cycling race.”

Ranked 2.1, the event will attract teams from the WorldTour and Professional Cotinental ranks, while UCI Continental and national teams can also receive invitations.

For more on the Tour de Yorkshire, including an exclusive behind the scenes look at how organisers ASO and Welcome to Yorkshire designed the route for the race, pick up a copy of this week's Cycling Weekly, out on Thursday January 22.

2015 Tour de Yorkshire route

Stage one

Date: Friday, May 1

Where: Bridlington to Scarborough

Distance: 174km

One for: Punchy climbers

Look out for: Short sharp climbs in Dalby Forest; the climb out of Robin Hood’s Bay.

Stage two

Date: Saturday, May 2

Where: Selby to York

Distance: 174km

One for: Sprinters

Look out for: Rolling hills in the Wolds; a spectacular sprint finish in York.

Stage three

Date: Sunday, May 3

Where: Wakefield to Leeds

Distance: 167km

One for: Punchy climbers

Look out for: The penultimate climb over the Cow and Calf near Ilkley