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Scarborough will host the dramatic conclusion to a day’s racing in next year’s Tour de Yorkshire for the third year in succession.
NEWS SPECIAL
Scarborough will once again host the dramatic conclusion to a day’s racing in the Tour de Yorkshire.
It was announced last week that the first leg of the 2017 tour on Friday April 28 will start in Bridlington and end in Scarborough.
The race takes the peloton from the coast through the Yorkshire Wolds, starting outside the refurbished Bridlington Spa and heading into Pocklington for the first intermediate sprint.
The classified climbs up the Côtes de Garrowby Hill and Goathland will get the legs pumping before the race hits the coastline again at Whitby where the riders will get a great view of the worldfamous Abbey as they contest the second sprint of the day.
The route continues on to Robin Hood’s Bay for the third and final climb and then it’s full steam into Scarborough for the now-legendary finish along North Bay.
Sir Gary Verity, chief executive at Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “I can’t wait to see the world’s best riders tackling these routes. We’ve worked hard to design a course which showcases Yorkshire’s stunning scenery as well as delivering a thrilling sporting event.
“Last year the race attracted two million spectators and generated £60 million for the local economy, and we’ll go from strength to strength again next year.”
The route is similar to that of the inaugural tour in 2015 and marks the third year running that Scarborough will host the finish.
Cllr Derek Bastiman, Leader of Scarborough Borough Council said: “Host town status for the third year running and now a third stage finish in as many years; we couldn’t have asked for any better than that. It really is brilliant news and we’ll be pulling out all the stops to showcase the Yorkshire coast at its very best.”
The cyclists will also be riding through Malton, Pickering, Sleights and Kirby Misperton as part of next year’s opening race.
Councillor Linda Cowling, Leader of Ryedale District Council said: “I am absolutely delighted that Ryedale will once again be showcased in the Tour De Yorkshire.
“Ryedale has so much to offer both residents and visitors to the area and its prowess in the world of cycling is very well known.
“I am sure the Tour De Yorkshire will raise the profile of Ryedale nationally and internationally and bring financial benefits to businesses throughout the area.”
Now Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour de France, has said it is a case of “when, not if ” the Tour de France will return to Yorkshire in the future.
And Sir Gary Verity has said that he would love to help bring the event to Scarborough.
He said: “We love going to Scarborough. We want to get the Tour de France to Scarborough when it comes back. The people are tremendously passionate and now that people know the route the bunting will go out.”