A top cycle race is set to hurtle past the spectacular scenery of Ilkley and Otley for a second time.

The Tour of Britain is coming back to Yorkshire after the gruelling route through towns and moorland proved a success last year.

An elite field of professional cyclists will again enjoy breathtaking views as they race through Otley, past the Cow and Calf rocks near Ilkley and on to Keighley.

Last year, the Yorkshire leg of the prestigious race helped to boost tourism and business in the area and raised the profile of the sport.

The tough 170km route starts on Thursday, September 1, in Millennium Square, Leeds, and is the third of six stages in the exhausting competition.

Top riders are expected to take just four and a half hours to reach Sheffield and finish the leg, which is funded by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Chairman Terry Hodgkinson said: "We are delighted to be welcoming the Tour of Britain back to our region following the tremendous success of last year's stage, regarded by many as the highlight of the entire event.

"The tour provides us with an excellent opportunity to showcase Yorkshire and Humber's rich cultural and sporting assets and our regional economy will benefit not only from the media exposure generated by the race, but also from the visitors and cycling teams it will bring to the region. I am very much looking forward to what I know will be an excellent day."

The Yorkshire stage includes a King of the Mountains climb at the Cow and Calf Rocks and a sprint section through Otley.

Cyclist Keith Lambert, 57, of Denholme, said that vital championship points for the UCI table of riders were up for grabs.

The three times British Road Race champion hopes the tough route will build on the success of last year and really challenge the competitors.

He added: "I'm sure there will be some of the best cyclists competing this year because they will want the points.

"The better points they get then the better the contract they will get for next season."

Riders will compete to win each stage, with sprinting and climbing titles also up for grabs at the end of the six-day event.

The competitor with the fastest time for all six stages will be crowned champion in London on September 4.

The tour starts in Glasgow on August 30.