THE host towns for next year's edition of the Tour de Yorkshire have been revealed, and Bradford has missed out.

It means the wait from 2016 will go on for another year for the city to host the annual race, but doesn't rule the district out from featuring in the race along the route.

The host towns for next year's race are Bedale, Barnsley, Bridlington, Doncaster, Halifax, Leeds, Scarborough, and Selby.

The full routes for next year's Tour will be revealed by organisers Welcome to Yorkshire on Friday, December 7.

It was also revealed the race will take in the Harrogate circuit that will be used at next year's UCI World Road Championships - which will start in Bradford - and will also head to Redcar for the first time in 2020.

Bradford hosted the start of a stage in 2017, and made up part of the route at this year's race.

The Tour de Yorkshire 2019 will run from May 2 to 5.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “It’s always exciting to unveil the host towns for the Tour de Yorkshire and this year is no exception.

"We’re thrilled that Bedale will be making its debut as the town gave the riders an amazing reception when they passed through earlier this year, and I’m sure Redcar will also excel in 2020.

"The other locations have already proven themselves as more than worthy recipients and we cannot wait to return.

“The full route will be announced on December 7 but we felt it was important to confirm the inclusion of the Harrogate circuit as the sport’s best riders are already planning their trips to the 2019 UCI Road World Championships and the Tour de Yorkshire will be the only chance they get to sample that circuit under race conditions before then.”

Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, said: “The Tour de Yorkshire is a true success story and in just four years it has grown to become one of the best attended and most dramatic races on the cycling calendar.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with such a great team at Welcome to Yorkshire and I know our eight start and finish locations will put on a real show in 2019.”