A major new cycling event is taking place in Yorkshire this summer to mark the 10th anniversary of the county’s unforgettable staging of the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014.

The mass participation event, named Legacy Ride, will be held on Sunday 7th July, with amateur cyclists getting the chance to retrace the route followed by the sport’s professional stars back in 2014.

Setting out from Roundhay Park in Leeds, riders will make their way to the heart of the Yorkshire Dales via some of the county’s most scenic roads and locations.

The sporting celebration is being organised by leading cycling events company Struggle Events with support from Leeds City Council and sponsorship from the advanced digital delivery consultancy Axiologik.

The event will raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and a £6.8m Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal for a Rob Burrow Centre for MND. Leeds Rhinos legend Rob was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and since then – with support from his friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield – he has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition and deliver improved care for those affected by it.

While avid cycling enthusiasts are invited to test their fitness over the full 230km ride, there are 120km and 70km route options designed to encourage cyclists of all levels to get involved. 

All routes start and finish in Roundhay Park and head out into Wharfedale. The 230km route takes riders into Wensleydale and Swaledale via Kidstones Pass, Buttertubs Pass and Grinton Moor.

The 120km route passes Bolton Abbey and then takes riders over a climb dubbed ‘Cote de Skyreholme’. The 70km route, meanwhile, heads past Otley and over Askwith Moor.

All three route options include a late climb up Weardley Bank, near Eccup Reservoir, before the finish back at Roundhay Park.

A report by Leeds City Council and UK Sport in December 2014 showed the Grand Depart boosted Yorkshire’s economy by more than £100m, with further longer-term benefits being predicted as a result of increased tourism, profile and trade deals. 

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The Grand Depart was a fantastic occasion for Leeds and the rest of Yorkshire, showcasing the people and places of our city and county to a global audience of millions.

“I’m delighted, therefore, that the 10th anniversary of that very special weekend is being celebrated with an event that will encourage amateur riders to get on their bikes and emulate the big-name cyclists who thrilled us all a decade ago.

“As a city, we have a proud track record of staging high-profile sporting events such as England football internationals, the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series and the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon as well as, of course, the Grand Depart itself.”

Struggle Events Director and Co-Founder Matt Mannakee said: “The Tour de France changed the way Yorkshire used – and enjoyed – our fantastic countryside roads. Our aim for this Legacy Ride is to revive that cycling fever – for the good of our health, for pleasure and to protect our environment.

“We’ve followed the hard work of Kevin Sinfield ever since he rode one of our events in 2021 as part of his early fundraising activity for his dear friend Rob Burrow. We were so pleased to see the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon launch last year to support Leeds Hospitals Charity’s MND centre appeal, and we hope the Legacy Ride will help contribute further to the £6.8 million target.”

Director and Co-founder of Axiologik Ben Davison commented: “As a Yorkshire-born business, we deeply cherish our region and its resilient community. Our roots are intertwined with the spirit of Yorkshire, which has played an integral role in shaping our journey as a business. This not only celebrates an iconic event for our region in 2014 but exemplifies our dedication to fostering high-performing teams and giving back to the community, reflecting a couple of Axiologik’s core values as a business.” 

The route will be run on open roads, with riders setting off early in the morning in staggered groups. There will be no road closures, with plans in place to minimise impact on local residents throughout the route. People are encouraged to show their support for the riders as they pass by.

Legacy Ride opens for entries on Friday 8th March 2024 at www.legacy-ride.com. Entry prices range from £39-£59 with an optional charity donation. Cyclists of all abilities are invited to participate on any bike, including e-bikes, in a team or individual capacity.

[News item based on material supplied by Scriba PR posted by Eagle Intermedia 15th March 2024.]

It has been announced that the “Le Petit Depart” cycling sportive will be back for its seventh year in 2022, celebrating some of the very best of cycling in the Yorkshire Dales.

For more information please see the news item on the Yorkshire Dales website at https://www.yorkshire-dales.com/le-petit-depart-2022-01.html

Owing to the crisis caused by the worldwide COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic cycling events in many parts of the world have been cancelled or deferred.  This included the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire, which had been scheduled to take place over the weekend of 30th April – 3rd May 2020.

[News item posted by Eagle Intermedia 17th May 2020.]

September 2019 saw the return of international cycling to Yorkshire with the county hosting the UCI Road World Championships.

Preceded by the Yorkshire 2019 International Para-Cycling International race from Beverley to Harrogate on 21st September 2019 the week of 22nd – 29th September 2019 saw UCI time trials and races taking place in Yorkshire, with much of the action taking place in and around the pleasant spa town of Harrogate.

Unfortunately many of the events were marred by heavy rain, though the Women’s Elite Cycle Race enjoyed a sunny start in Bradford on Saturday 28th September 2019 (pictured above).  The men’s event which started out in Leeds the following day was not so lucky, however, and torrential rain meant that the route through the Yorkshire Dales had to be shortened for safety reasons, and not all of the riders were able to continue the course to reach the finishing point in Harrogate.

[News item posted by Eagle Intermedia 26th September 2019.]

Despite ongoing controversies relating to the funding of event organisers Welcome to Yorkshire in the light of a recently alleged expenses scandal and a new team sponsorship arrangement with Ineo (a company which is involved with fracking in Yorkshire) the fifth Tour de Yorkshire ran generally smoothly and has been hailed a resounding success.

Taking place over the bank holiday weekend on 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th May 2019 the four day event saw world class cycling competition return to the roads of South Yorkshire, the Vale of York, the Yorkshire Dales, the Yorkshire Coast and of course Bronte Country too.

Stage One of the men’s race was won by Jasper Asselman, Stage Two by Rick Zabel, Stage Three by Alexander Kamp, and Stage Four by Greg van Avermet, with Chris Lawless being crowned overall winner of the four day event.

Stage One of the women’s race was won by Lorena Wiebes, and Stage Two by Marianne Vos, with Marianne Vos being crowned overall winner of the two day event.

For more information please visit the Cycling News website at http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/mens-tour-de-yorkshire-2019/

[News item posted by Eagle Intermedia 6th May 2019.]

Thursday 3rd May 2018 saw international competition cycling again taking place on the roads of Yorkshire with the return of the Tour de Yorkshire – now in its fourth year and extended to a four day event for the first time since its inauguration.

Stage One of the event started at Beverley in the Yorkshire Wolds and finished at Doncaster in South Yorkshire.    Kirsten Wild of the Netherlands won the women’s race, while the men’s race was won by Harry Tanfield – who comes from Great Ayton in North Yorkshire.

Stage Two took place on Friday 4th May 2018 beginning in Barnsley and ending in glorious weather up at the Cow and Calf above Ilkley (pictured) – the first time that any of the stages have ended with a hill climb and a summit finish.  Denmark’s Magnus Cort Nielsen won the men’s race, while the American rider Meghan Gaurnier won the women’s race on what was reported to be her birthday!

Stage Three on Saturday 5th May 2018 started out from Richmond in Swaledale and headed out across the (mainly flat) Vale of Mowbray and then the first major climb of the day with the gruelling ascent of Sutton Bank up on to hills of the North York Moors and on to the Yorkshire Coast to end the day in Scarborough with Germany’s Max Walscheid as the stage’s winner.

Stage Four on Sunday 6th May 2018 started at the recently refurbished Piece Hall in Halifax before heading up to Hebden Bridge and Haworth (pictured above), then on up to Skipton and in to the Yorkshire Dales on an epic journey which took in a series of brutal hill climbs including the very steep Park Rash above Kettlewell.  The day’s race finished in Leeds with Stephane Rossetto of France winning the stage and Greg van Avermaet of Belgium being declared the overall winner of the four day men’s event.

[News item posted by Eagle Intermedia 3rd-6th May 2018.]

At a packed tourism conference held in Bradford on 21st March 2018 it was announced that the women’s elite road race of the UCI World Road Cycling Championships which are to be held in Yorkshire in 2019 will start off in the city.

[News item posted by Eagle Intermedia – 22nd March 2018.]

Route details for the forthcoming Tour de Yorkshire in 2018 have now been announced.

On the morning of 5th December 2017 local community leaders, tourism operators and representatives of the media gathered at the Piece Hall in Halifax for a glitzy press conference (pictured above) at which details of the 2018 race were presented by the event organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation.

For the first time the event will take place over four days over 3rd-6th May 2018, with the men’s race being extended from three to four days and the women’s race extended from one day to two.

Stage One starts out from Beverley and finishes in Doncaster, taking in Hornsea Mere and the Yorkshire Wolds along the way.

Stage Two starts from Barnsley and finishes in Ilkley, taking in Wentworth House, Conisborough, Pontefract, Castleford, Harewood, Pool and Otley before heading in to Ilkley and the event’s first ever summit finish at the Cow and Calf rocks on the edge of Ilkley Moor.

Stage Three starts from Richmond and finishes in Scarborough, passing through the Vale of Mowbray and over the North York Moors along the way.  A particular challenge will be the gruelling ascent of Sutton Bank (a “Category One” climb which featured in the 2016 race).

Stage Four starts from the Piece Hall in Halifax and ends in Leeds, taking in the sights of Bronte Country and the Yorkshire Dales along the way.

Sponsored by Asda, the women’s race will follow Stages One and Two of the men’s race routes and will take place.

As in previous years there will be the Maserati “Ride Sportif” – where members of the public will have the opportunity to “ride the route” in aid of local charities before the end of the festivities.

The official charity for the 2018 event is the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, who have of course provided valuable support for the Tour de Yorkshire in the past as well as the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in 2014.

[News item posted by Eagle Intermedia – 5th December 2017.]

The Yorkshire region has received a huge boost with the news that the Tour de Yorkshire will grow from three to four days in 2018.

Organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and A.S.O. had been seeking to extend the race after its phenomenal success over the last three years, and cycling’s world governing body the UCI confirmed the decision on Thursday with the four-day Tour de Yorkshire being included on their 2018 Europe Tour calendar between Thursday 3rd and Sunday 6th May.

The news will bring far-reaching benefits to the county and further enhance the Yorkshire region’s reputation as a world-class cycling destination. The Tour de Yorkshire was launched in 2015 following the hugely successful Tour de France Grand Départ 12 months previously, and it has since grown to become one of the sport’s best-supported and most exciting races.

This year’s event was broadcast live in 180 countries and a record 2.2 million fans lined the route. The race also generated £64 million for the Yorkshire region economy and the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire remains one of the most lucrative events in the sport.

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity said: “This is absolutely tremendous news and something we have long been working to achieve. We are grateful to British Cycling for supporting our application, and to the UCI for granting us this extension.

“Seeing the Tour de Yorkshire grow into what it is today is one of my team’s very proudest achievements and none of this would have been possible if the people of Yorkshire – and Great Britain – hadn’t taken the race to their hearts.

“This decision will help us attract even bigger names in the future and allow us to design a more varied and spectacular route.

“Our race is growing in stature all the time and the next two editions will hold even greater prestige given that Yorkshire is also hosting the UCI Road World Championships in 2019.

“Cycling is booming across the county and today marks an exciting new chapter for our race.”

Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme said: “The Tour de Yorkshire is a true success story and the way the race has grown over the last four years has been incredible.

“The size and passion of the crowds has not just impressed me, but the cyclists too. They are always blown away by the reception they receive and are already looking forward to coming back in 2018.

“Extending the race to four days will allow us to visit more parts of the county and put on an even greater show.”

British Cycling Chief Executive Julie Harrington said: “We welcome the decision by the UCI to endorse the increase in duration of both the men’s and women’s races at the Tour de Yorkshire as a sign of the fantastic work done by Welcome to Yorkshire in collaboration with British Cycling in building an event which inspires people across Britain to get active by getting on their bikes.

“We look forward to working with the Tour de Yorkshire team to finalise arrangements.”

[News item based on press release provided by Welcome to Yorkshire, posted 21st September 2017.  Photograph copyright Bronte Country.]

The Yorkshire region’s reputation as a world-class cycling destination has been further enhanced today by becoming the first place in the UK to be officially recognised as a UCI Bike Region.

Yorkshire received the award from cycling’s world governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) at a glitzy ceremony in Bergen, Norway, where the UCI Road World Championships are currently taking place.

The county was one of five cities and regions to receive the accolade this year along with Fyn (Denmark), Gelderland (Holland), Heusden-Zolder (Belgium) and Woensdrecht (Holland).

Only eight places have been bestowed the honour so far since they were relaunched in 2015, with Bergen (Norway), Drenthe (Holland) and Limburg-Valkenburg (Holland) each receiving one in 2016.

The UCI grants UCI Bike City/Region status to locations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to growing and promoting everyday cycling, as well as hosting major UCI cycling events.

Of course, Yorkshire fits that bill perfectly, with the county implementing multi-year cycling strategies across its 22 local authorities which target events, infrastructure, training, education and tourism.

Headline initiatives include the £35 million “cycle superhighway” which now links Leeds and Bradford, and the 46 Yorkshire Bank “bike libraries” that Welcome to Yorkshire has opened since 2014 where children can gain free access to bikes.

2019 will also see the UCI Road World Championships come to the county, with 12 races taking place over nine days and 1,000 of the best male and female riders from around 75 countries set to compete.

Tracey Crouch MP, Minister for Sport, said: “Yorkshire has deservedly won this recognition from the UCI. The honour is a testament to the hard work of all those involved in opening the region up to cyclists, and the lasting legacy from hosting the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014 and the Tours de Yorkshire since.

“I know the people of Yorkshire will also get right behind the UCI World Road Championships in 2019 too that will further cement the county’s strong links to cycling.”

Brian Cookson, UCI President, said: “We are very pleased to expand our network of UCI Bike Cities and Regions and I would like to congratulate the five new recipients for the excellent work they carry out in their respective communities to develop cycling in all its forms. They are shining examples of what can be achieved.

“We look forward to promoting their ambitious projects and hope these will inspire other countries to develop bike-friendly environments for their communities and visitors.”

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “We are thrilled that Yorkshire has been granted UCI Bike Region status and it is testament to the great work that has been done – and continues to be done – across the county.

“The UCI award these labels to cities and regions that promote cycling, and use it as a way to create better, safer and more active communities.

“In Yorkshire we are doing just that and it’s tremendous news that our combined efforts are being recognised in such high quarters.”

[News item based on press release provided by Welcome to Yorkshire, posted 20th September 2017.]