JLT-Condor and Raleigh-GAC belatedly receive Tour de Yorkshire invitations

JLT-Condor and Raleigh-GAC will take part in May's inaugural Tour de Yorkshire [May 1-3] after race organisers belatedly issued them with invitations to the race.

Both teams were initially overlooked when ASO and Welcome to Yorkshire last week unveiled the 16 squads who had been selected to ride.

Organisers announced the updated team list this afternoon, meaning that all of Britain's UCI-ranked squads will now compete in the event.

"It is great to be reconsidered for the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, and thank them for their generosity,” said JLT-Condor team manager John Herety.

“We look forward to working with the event and can't wait to get racing in the magnificent North York Moors."

Organisers confirmed to Cycling Weekly that even with JLT and Raleigh now competing, teams will still be able to field eight riders in the race.

A statement from them read: "We were absolutely delighted at the response from teams to take part in the first ever Tour de Yorkshire.

"Due to this terrific interest we have, after careful consideration, taken the decision to increase the number of teams from 16 to 18. The addition of JLT-Condor and Raleigh-GAC will make this a phenomenal event."

Raleigh team principal Cherie Pridham said on the announcement: "I am delighted that Team Raleigh GAC will be part of what I'm sure will be a fantastic event.

"We saw how the British public came out to support last year's Grand Depart in Yorkshire and I'm sure that we will see scenes like that again. I would like to thank the organisers for giving us the chance to be part of that.

"I know the riders, staff and sponsors are going to be incredibly motivated for this and we will make sure we do our part to make it a race to remember.

"I would also like to say a personal thank you to the fans who have shown us great to support in the past week and we can't wait to see you all out on the road."

The Tour de Yorkshire begins in Bridlington on May 1 and finishes in Leeds two days later; stage three passes through Keighley, home of JLT rider Tom Moses.

Tour de Yorkshire 2015 teams

BMC Racing (USA)

Cofidis (France)

Cult Energy (Denmark)

Europcar (France)

Giant-Alpecin (Germany)

Great Britain national team (Great Britain)

IAM Cycling (Switzerland)

JLT-Condor (Great Britain)

LottoNL-Jumbo (Netherlands)

Madison-Genesis (Great Britain)

MTN-Qhubeka (South Africa)

NFTO (Great Britain)

One Pro Cycling (Great Britain)

Raleigh-GAC (Great Britain)

Roompot Oranje Peloton (Netherlands)

Team Sky (Great Britain)

Team Wiggins (Great Britain)

Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise (Belgium)