Bradford has today been announced as one of six host towns or cities for 2017 Tour de Yorkshire.

Racing for the third edition will begin or end in Bradford, Bridlington, Fox Valley (Sheffield), Harrogate, Scarborough and Tadcaster.

Organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation this morning (A.S.O.) revealed the chosen towns which will host the three-day men’s race held from Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30. The women’s race will be held on Saturday, April 29.

Making the announcement, Sir Gary Verity, the chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said the ride would go right into the heart of the Bradford, with a race starting or finishing in City Park.

"We are really thrilled to be going back to the Bradford district, but for the first time we will be going into the city," he added.

"Bradford will make a fantastic backdrop for the start or finish of that stage."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The leader of Bradford Council Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said it was great the city was hosting a stage.

"People in Bradford have said that it was great to have cycling events coming through the district, but why not the city centre, and it is now," she added.

"It has been months in the making. It is something we have wanted to do for a while now."

The second edition - when Otley was a host town - took place earlier this year and achieved significant growth on the back of an impressive debut in 2015.

The number of roadside spectators increased from 1.5 million to two million and the race attracted 11.4m global television viewers, up from six million in 2015. The event also boosted the local economy by £60 million and 2017 promises to continue that trend following the news that Yorkshire will host the UCI Road World Championships in 2019.

Sir Gary said: “In just two years the Tour de Yorkshire has become one of the biggest and best races on the professional cycling calendar. Riders are overwhelmed by the support they receive on the roadside and the racing is among the most exciting you will see all season.

“The third edition will continue that progression and the attention it receives will be greater than ever given that we have just succeeded in bringing the UCI Road World Championships to the county in 2019.

“The world’s best cyclists will be using the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire as a first dress rehearsal for that and we’re planning a course that will challenge and impress them in equal measure.

“I’m delighted the race will visit all four corners of the county and all six host towns will put on a brilliant show.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France at the A.S.O, said: “The Tour de Yorkshire has done itself proud in building a lasting and hugely-successful legacy on the back of the 2014 Grand Départ. The race is a true success story and we are thrilled to be working in partnership with such a great team at Welcome to Yorkshire. We’re looking forward to another fantastic edition in 2017.”

Kersten England, Bradford Council’s chief executive, said: “This is a huge boost for Bradford. Tour de Yorkshire has become a cycling race known internationally, not just a domestic cycling race. Having Bradford up there too is a great thing.”

Next year’s Tour will be also see a return of the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride and give the chance for Tour Makers to volunteer on the race route and help welcome spectators at the event.

Many of the host towns announced today are also home to Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries, a direct legacy of the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire, which aim to offer every child in Yorkshire access to a bike. So far 32 libraries have opened across the county and over 4,000 bikes have been donated.

The full 2017 race route will be unveiled in December in Bradford, when exact start and finish locations and the distance and profile of the race will also be announced.

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