Yorkshire host towns for 2019 World Championships unveiled

Organisers of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships have unveiled the Yorkshire towns and cities that will play host the various races.

North Yorkshire town Harrogate has been named as the main competition centre, with every race of the Worlds finishing there.

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Beverley, Doncaster, Leeds, Northallerton, Ripon, and York have all been put forward as potential start locations for races.

The 2019 Worlds takes place over nine days in September of that year, likely kicking off as usual with the team time trials and culminating in the elite men's road race on the final Sunday.

The last time Britain hosted a Worlds was in 1982 when it took place at Goodwood in West Sussex.

“We are delighted to announce our intention to start the UCI Road World Championship races in 2019 in all four corners of Yorkshire making sure the races take in the full splendour of this beautiful and diverse county," said Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Yorkshire to the world and I have no doubt that every town and village on the final routes will be ready with their famous Yorkshire welcome as seen for the Tour de France and now each year for the Tour de Yorkshire.”

The county, which memorably hosted the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014, will receive £24 million of government investment for the event along with £3 million of National Lottery money.

£15 million of the government funding will be used to develop 27 cycle sport facilities across the UK as part of the events legacy.