ASO to co-organise 3-day stage race in God’s Own County in 2015

Tour de France organiser ASO has confirmed support for The Tour of Yorkshire, a three-day pro road race with the first edition set to take place on 1-3 May next year, subject to approval from the UCI.

Publicity for the event describes it as "A Breathtaking New Race … in God’s Own County." Commitment for the event is said to run for four years and could feature a one-day women’s race, although a joint statement from ASO, Welcome to Yorkshire and British Cycling did not include this information.

If given a 2.1 status by the UCI, the Tour of Yorkshire will attract a world-class field. Scarborough and Hull could be potential stage towns.

"When we bid to host the Tour de France we did so in the knowledge that this would be the start of a long relationship with ASO," said Gary Verity, CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire. "Our county is a new cycling heartland of Europe and we look forward to welcoming back some of the world’s best riders in Yorkshire in less than 12 months’ time."

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said Yorkshire’s Grand Départ was set to be the greatest ever. "Yorkshire boasts breathtaking scenery worthy of any of the cycling season’s major events. It therefore seems perfectly natural for Welcome to Yorkshire, British Cycling and ASO to continue working together in this new land of cycling, through the Tour of Yorkshire."