Calderdale is ready for the riders
The hilltops of Todmorden, a Southowram sprint and the cobbled Cote de Shibden Wall climb will feature in the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire cycle race. Ian Hirst reports
CALDERDALE WILL play its largest ever role in the Tour de Yorkshire 2020 with many towns and villages to feature during two stages of the race.
Both stage three and the women’s race final stage will see the race pass through towns including Brighouse, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge.
Riders will also take on the iconic Shibden Wall on stage three.
Other places the race will pass through include Rastrick, Southowram, Northowram, Barkisland, Mytholmroyd and many others.
Stage four and the final section of the race will once again see riders sett off from the Piece Hall.
Councillor Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s Leader said: “We’re excited that Calderdale will once again host this year’s Tour de Yorkshire, with today’s route announcement revealing that the borough will play its biggest role yet in race proceedings.
“The 2020 route not only includes Halifax as host of the start of Stage Four of the race for the third year running, but the borough also plays a major part in Stage Three and we’re delighted that for the first time ever we welcome the Women’s Race to Calderdale.
“The race will visit or pass close by to most of our towns and many of our villages and I know that, as usual, the cyclists will receive great support from the people of Calderdale.”
The sixth edition of the men’s race will take place between April 30 and May 3 and form part of the inaugural UCI ProSeries.
Its new 2.Pro classification remains the highest-possible status for a multi-day race outside of the UCI WorldTour. It encompasses all four corners of the county and takes in 160 villages, towns and cities along the way.
The Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race meanwhile, runs between 1-2 May and will once again be one of the most lucrative races in the sport.
James Mason, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “It’s exciting for me to be involved with the Tour de Yorkshire for the very first time and this year’s routes look fantastic. Many of our county’s iconic climbs are included, and we’re particularly pleased to see Buttertubs and Grinton Moor making appearances after they were unfortunately cut from the World Championships route on account of the weather last September.
“Seeing the men and women tackle Shibden Wall will also be special, and we’re delighted to be bringing the race to so many new places as well. We’re lucky to have such a diversity of landscapes here in Yorkshire and these races will have something for every type of rider. I’m really looking forward to it and I’m sure we’re in for some really exciting action.”