After three hugely successful events, the Tour de Yorkshire returns for a fourth successive year and due to its popularity now has an extra day added. Take a look at some of the major names taking part, the teams involved, and what they can expect on the stages from Beverley to Leeds.
It was announced in September last year that the Tour de Yorkshire would grow from three to four days in 2018.
The news was warmly received by the Welcome to Yorkshire group, and the A.S.O who organise major events all over the world, both of whom had been seeking to extend the race after its phenomenal success over the last three years.
Cycling’s world governing body the UCI also confirmed that the Tour de Yorkshire was being included on their 2018 Europe Tour calendar.
And if that wasn’t enough, the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire will also double in size this year, increasing from one to two days.
This is sure to bring far-reaching benefits to the county and further enhance Yorkshire’s reputation as a world-class cycling destination.
The Tour de Yorkshire was launched in 2015 following the hugely successful Tour de France Grand Départ 12 months previously, and it has since grown to become one of the sport’s best-supported and most exciting races.
Last year’s event was broadcast live in 180 countries and a record 2.2 million fans lined the route. The race also generated £64 million for the Yorkshire economy and the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire remains one of the most lucrative events in the sport.
The men’s race will start at Beverley on Thursday 3rd May and finish in Leeds on the 6th May, with the women’s race being run on the Thursday and Friday also starting in Beverley and finishing in Ilkley.
Stage 1
Beverley – Doncaster
Thursday 3rd May
Distance 182km
Stage 2
Barnsley – Ilkley
Friday 4th May
Distance 149km
Stage 3
Richmond – Scarborough
Saturday 5th May
Distance 181km
Stage 4
Halifax – Leeds
Sunday 6th May
Distance 189.5km
And just announced yesterday it was revealed that Mark Cavendish who has 30 Tour de France stage wins has confirmed he will return to racing at the event.
The Dimension Data rider suffered a dramatic crash at the Milan – San Remo race last month, and it was thought he wouldn’t be back until mid-May, but his recovery has gone better than expected.
Partnering him in the team will be last year’s Champion Serge Pauwels who is back to fend his title.
Both riders will take their place in the biggest field the Tour de Yorkshire has seen, with 40 teams competing this year.
The full list of men’s teams is as follows:
Six UCI WorldTour teams:
Astana Pro Team (KAZ)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Team Dimension Data (RSA)
Team Katusha Alpecin (SUI)
Team Sky (GBR)
Team Sunweb (GER)
Seven UCI Pro Continental teams:
Aqua Blue Sport (IRE)
Cofidis, Solutions Credits (FRA)
Direct Energie (FRA)
Euskadi Basque Country – Murias (ESP)
Rally Cycling (USA)
Roompot – Nederlandse Loterij (NED)
Vital Concept (FRA)
Six UCI Continental teams:
Canyon Eisberg (GBR)
Holdsworth Pro Racing (IRE)
JLT Condor (GBR)
Madison Genesis (GBR)
One Pro Cycling (GBR)
Vitus Pro Cycling (GBR)
One national team:
Team GB (GBR)
The list of women’s teams is also as follows:
Ale Cipollini (ITA)
Bepink (ITA)
Boels Dolmans Cycling Team (NED)
Boompods EDCo NRG (GBR)
Canyon Sram Racing (GER)
Experza-Footlogix (BEL)
FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope (FRA)
Hitec Products Birk Sport (NOR)
Doltcini – Van Eyck Sport (BEL)
NJC-Biemme-Echelon (GBR)
Parkhotel Valkenburg (NED)
Storey Racing (GBR)
Team GB (GBR)
Cycle Team OnForm (GBR)
Jadan - Weldtite Vive Le Velo (GBR)
Team Sunweb (NED)
Torelli Brother (GBR)
Trek-Drops (GBR)
Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling (GBR)
WNT Rotor Pro Cycling Team (GBR)
For any further information please head on over to letour.yorkshire.com