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Leeds scores Tour de Yorkshire finale as route is announced

Leeds has been chosen to host the finale of the first ever Tour de Yorkshire international cycle race, as the rest of the county prepares for the new sporting event.

A three day race, held on 1–3 May, will finish in Roundhay Park. The news comes after the city held what was described as “the grandest ever Grand Départ”, by Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme.

Last summer saw 230,000 spectators, in the city centre alone with thousands more filling spectator hubs, crowd on to the streets to cheer on international cycling stars creating an electric atmosphere that will long be remembered.

Day three Sunday 3 May, of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, and the focal point of the event, kicks off in Wakefield and culminates at Roundhay Park in Leeds – where the winners will be crowned in front of huge crowds.

Day two begins in Selby and ends in York, while the first day takes in the Yorkshire coastline starting in Bridlington and finishing in Scarborough. Each day covers a distance of 180 kilometres.

Two king of the mountain stages are planned within the Leeds boundary on day three where competitors will fight to be first to the top of East Chevin Road in Otley and Black Hill Road, Arthington.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Keith Wakefield said: “Leeds is of course delighted to welcome the tour. There is a huge passion for cycling here – evident for the whole world to see thanks to the incredible atmosphere at last year’s Grand Départ.

“I’m confident the people of Leeds will again turn out in their thousands and do the city proud at this great event that’s sure to become well respected by both the international cycling community and those closer to home.

“The Tour de France brought millions of pounds into the city. It was a massive boost for the economy benefiting both large and small businesses.

“We can’t have an event of that size every year, but local businesses and residents alike will benefit hugely from the Tour de Yorkshire and we don’t expect road closures to last much more than an hour except in a few key locations.”

Councillor John Weighell, the Leader of North Yorkshire County Council. said: “The Grand Depart of the Tour de France last year was a massive logistical challenge, to which the council and its partners responded with an operation which was widely praised for its efficiency and effectiveness.

“While the Tour de Yorkshire is a less complex event, it still requires considerable 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.”

More than three million people turned out to see the Tour de France in Yorkshire and the economic impact estimated at over £100 million.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .