VIDEO - Tadcaster to start stage two of Tour de Yorkshire 2017

Tadcaster bridge will be the showcase start for day two of the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire, which takes place on Saturday 29 April. The 18th century grade two listed bridge – which partially collapsed because of flooding last winter – is due to re-open early next year, re-uniting both sides of the town.

Tadcaster will be the starting point for stage two and the women's race

Stage one will run through Pocklington Pickering Malton and Norton

The race, which will run from Friday 28 April to Sunday 30 April, 2017, and is now a highlight in the calendar for cycling’s elite riders.

VIDEO - Sir Gary Verity announces the news that Tadcaster was waiting for

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity led a packed press conference on Friday morning with the Amaury Sport Organisation’s Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme. Scott Thwaites was one of many star riders in attendance along with Yorkshire cycling legends such as Brian Robinson, Malcolm Elliott and Denise Burton-Cole.

The third edition of the race takes in all four corners of the county and takes in Yorkshire’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Fountains Abbey and Saltaire:

STAGE ONE: 173km –THE COAST AND WOLDS
BRIDLINGTON TO SCARBOROUGH Friday 28 April

The race takes the peloton from the coast through the Yorkshire Wolds, starting outside the refurbished Bridlington Spa and heading into Pocklington for the first intermediate sprint. The classified climbs up the Côtes de Garrowby Hill and Goathland will get the legs pumping before the race hits the coastline again at Whitby where the riders will get a great view of the world-famous Abbey as they contest the second sprint of the day. The route continues on to Robin Hood’s Bay for the third and final climb and then it’s full steam into Scarborough for the now-legendary finish along North Bay.

STAGE TWO: 122.5km – HISTORIC MARKET TOWNS
TADCASTER TO HARROGATE Saturday 29 April

Starting on Tadcaster bridge - which will be newly reopened following flood damage last Boxing Day - this stage takes the riders through some of Yorkshire’s finest market towns. They will venture into Knaresborough, where the first intermediate sprint points are up for grabs, and the day’s sole categorised climb comes on the fearsome Côte de Lofthouse before the descent into Masham. It’s on to Ripon for the second intermediate sprint and the race will skirt the stunning Fountains Abbey before a fast approach to Harrogate. The action reaches its crescendo along Parliament Street, just as it did on the opening stage of the 2014 Tour de France.

STAGE THREE: 194.5km – THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER
BRADFORD TO FOX VALLEY (SHEFFIELD) Sunday 30 April

Named The Yorkshire Terrier as this is the toughest stage in the history of the Tour de Yorkshire, riders will start at Bradford City Park before heading into Saltaire. The action then briefly joins the 2014 Tour de France route at Burley-in-Wharfedale before passing the majestic Bolton Abbey and into the Yorkshire Dales. Skipton is the next town on the agenda, with the first of eight categorised climbs being contested on the Côte de Silsden. The following ascent comes on the cobbled rise up Haworth’s picturesque main street and another climb at Leeming must also be tackled before they face the infamous Côte de Shibden Wall. This cobbled brute could see splits form before the intermediate sprint at Clifton. The race then traverses from West to South Yorkshire and into Penistone, and another sprint is on the cards at Stocksbridge before the riders embark on a torturous 22km finishing circuit that features no-less than four categorised climbs. These come at Deepcar, Wigtwizzle, Ewden Height and Midhopestones before the race reaches its climax at Fox Valley.

Sir Gary Verity said:

“I can’t wait to see the world’s best riders tackling these routes. We’ve worked hard to design a course which showcases Yorkshire’s stunning scenery as well as delivering a thrilling sporting event.

“Last year the race attracted 2 million spectators and generated £60 million for the local economy, and we’ll go from strength to strength again next year."

General Director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme said:

“I always enjoy coming to Yorkshire and the county certainly knows how to put on a show. I am excited by what this year’s route has in store and am sure it will provide three days of fantastic racing.”

VIDEO - Kirsty Perkins from Tadcaster Town Council

VIDEO - Reaction from the leader of Selby Council, Mark Crane

Asda Tour de Yorkshire

It was also announced that following the success of last year, the Asda Tour de Yorkshire women’s race would be held on exactly the same route as stage two, with the women starting in the morning and the men in the early afternoon. The £50,000 prize pot is one of the largest in the sport and a stellar cast of riders will be on hand to compete on Yorkshire roads.

Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride

Three routes of varying difficulty for the 2017 Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride sportive were revealed, giving 6,000 amateur cyclists the chance to ride key sections of the third stage just hours before the pros. Each one starts and finishes at Fox Valley Sheffield on Sunday 30 April, and full details on how to participate can be found at http://letour.yorkshire.com/sportive

Sir Gary Verity said:

“One of the things I most enjoy about cycling is that you can ride the same roads as the pros, and what better way to do so than with top-class support and thousands of other cyclists joining you along the way. The routes have been designed to cater for riders of all abilities and finishing on the same line as the pros is an amazing experience.”

Nick Rusling, CEO of the sportive organisers Human Race, said:

"As an amateur rider, this sportive offers a unique chance to experience the same phenomenal support that the pros will receive only a few hours later. Yorkshire's love of cycling is being brought to life for you to experience first-hand. Because of this the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride always proves a hugely-popular event so I'd advise entering quickly."

Official Tour de Yorkshire Charity – Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer’s Society has also been confirmed as the official charity for the third edition of the Tour de Yorkshire.

The news will signal the start of a range of fundraising initiatives throughout 2017 which aim to raise awareness of the great work the organisation does to care and support people affected by dementia.

Michael Dent, Director of Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

“Alzheimer’s Society are thrilled to have been selected to be the official charity partner of the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire. This fantastic event will give us the opportunity to raise awareness of dementia across Yorkshire and the whole of the UK, where over 850,000 people are currently living with dementia.

“Funds raised will help support our vital work in medical and social research, advice and support and campaigning. We also look forward to engaging new audiences with our Dementia Friendly initiatives, which help make life better for all those affected by dementia in our communities.”

Fact file

• The Tour de Yorkshire was launched in 2015 to extend the legacy of the 2014 Grand Départ.
• The men’s race is a three-day event with a 2.1 UCI Europe Tour classification.
• The single-day Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire was awarded 1.2 status in 2016.
• Both races have helped grow the profile of Yorkshire as a destination for fans of world-class cycling.
• Our ambition is to grow the men’s Tour de Yorkshire to a four-day race and extend the women’s race to two days.
• The race is supported by Yorkshire Bank, Dimension Data, Tissot, Le Coq Sportif, Mavic, Asda and Aunt Bessie’s.

50% of TDY 2017 will be in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council is working with partner organisations – including the event organisers, Welcome to Yorkshire and Amaury Sports Organisation, ASO and district councils and the emergency services – on a highways operation to facilitate the race while maintaining vital access for local residents, visitors and businesses.

Councillor Carl Les, the Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“Now with three years of experience of hosting world class cycling events in North Yorkshire, I have no doubt that the County Council will once again rise to the challenge and that the residents of North Yorkshire will once again embrace it."

“The race in 2017 will see even more of the route in the county – just over 50 per cent – with three starts and finishes and it will require considerable planning and expertise to ensure that it can take place in the least disruptive way, while giving all those thousands of people who will undoubtedly want to visit North Yorkshire to see it, the access they need.

Working with the district councils and other partners, there will be a significant logistical challenge, which we will respond to efficiently and effectively.”

As with previous years, the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire will see some road closures and parking restrictions but these will be kept to a minimum. The majority of the route will see rolling road closures, which will generally last no more than an hour. The start and finish areas, however, along some of the climbs and some of the busier locations, are likely to see longer road closures will be required to ensure the safety of the race and the spectators. Further details of these and any other parking restrictions will be available nearer to the race weekend.

Councillor Les added:

“Although there will be some disruption associated with the race, we also know there will be significant economic benefit to businesses in our county, from both the spectators and the television and media coverage that comes with the race.”

“I believe that we need to continue to make the most of these opportunities and I think that most people now recognise that the benefits far outweigh the small amount of disruption that hosting such a world class raise causes.”

Further information will be published via the council’s website, www.northyorks.gov.uk/tour.

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