Human Race has confirmed that it will be delivering the Tour de Yorkshire Ride in partnership with ASO and Welcome to Yorkshire.
The Tour de Yorkshire is a new UCI (International Cycling Union) approved international cycle race which will be held for the first time from 1-3 May 2015. It is expected to attract high profile cyclists and top international teams.
Human Race’s role is to be in charge of all aspects of the mass participation ride on Sunday 3 May, and working with partners as credible as ASO and Welcome to Yorkshire is hugely exciting for the UK company.
Ride in the tracks of Tour de Yorkshire stars
Thousands are expected to take part in a mass cycle ride along the route of the first ever Tour de Yorkshire. The Tour de Yorkshire Ride will give cyclists the chance to ride the route just hours before the pros race.
Three distance options are available for the sportive, with riders able to choose from 50K, 100K or 140K routes. A women-only Cycletta sportive will also take place along the 50K route. Each of the carefully designed routes will feature much of the Tour de Yorkshire route with a number of challenging climbs and spectacular Yorkshire views.
Thousands of people are expected to line some parts of the route offering some legendary Yorkshire support, and timings will be available online giving sportive riders the chance to compare their climb times to the pros.
The event is being supported by five-time Tour de France winner, Bernard Hinault, who will be giving sportive riders tips. Participants in the sportive will cross the same finish line as the pro riders and a winners’ ceremonies will take place on the Tour de Yorkshire podium.
Nick Rusling, Chief Executive of Human Race said “We have the ability to deliver something unique for thousands of cyclists on 3 May by combining the aura of the Tour de Yorkshire and Tour de France legacy in combination with the hospitality and stunning roads of Yorkshire. For sportive riders of all abilities – this will be an experience you won’t forget.”
The sportive will be held on the final day of the Tour de Yorkshire, Sunday 3 May, just hours before the pro race starts. After leaving Roundhay Park in Leeds those taking on the 140K long route will climb Pool Bank and head towards Sowerby Bridge. They will join the pro route at Mytholmroyd and up the 2014 Tour de France King of the Mountains Côte De Oxenhope Moor, which will be taken in the opposite direction, a real test of stamina with over 6.7 kilometres of near continuous climbing.
Shortly after, riders will travel through the quaint village of Howarth and over the cobble stones, one of the most iconic images of the Tour de France Grand Départ.
Riders will climb 150 metres from Laycock to Sutton-in-Craven, before reaching the villages of Addingham and Ilkley. Riders on the long and medium routes will take on the Cow and Calf Climb, before the East Chevin Climb, after which cyclists will need all their remaining energy to climb the short but very steep Black Hill Road. The Tour de Yorkshire Ride culminates back at Roundhay Park where cyclists will be presented with their medal.
Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said “This is such an exciting opportunity for Yorkshire. The Tour de Yorkshire is all about growing the visitor economy and this event, with thousands taking part from all over the UK and overseas, will bring even more people to visit our county.”
Demand for places in the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire Ride is expected to be extremely high and riders are encouraged to pre-register at letouryorkshire.com/sportive
Entries will officially open on 4 February.
Human Race has one further sportive to announce for 2015 (coming out in February) and then its 2015 calendar will be in place. The strategy is to create and deliver a selection of 11 sportives; each with a point of difference; and each with an experience for the rider that makes it stand out from the crowd – whilst also always focusing on safety and getting the basics right.
- Dragon Ride – Positioned as the UK’s toughest and most prestigious ride (now with Dragon Devil and Dragon Tour)
- Chiltern 100 – One of the toughest sportives close to London – working closely still with the founding club VCC to deliver back to the local community
- London Cycle Sportive – Finishes with a lap of the 1948 Olympic track (Herne Hill Velodrome) – raising funds for the Herne Hill Velodrome Trust
- London Legacy Sportive – Combining 2012 Olympic Velopark with 2014 TdF Stage 3 route – 2 great moments in British sport
- The Lionheart – Season opener, flagship venue at Longleat – amongst some of Britain’s prettiest countyside
- Cycletta – Now in its 5th year, with new 150K distances; 3,500 women will take part across 5 events
The total number of riders across all these sportives will be 20,000. And now Human Race will be building further with the Tour de Yorkshire Ride as well.
www.letouryorkshire.com/sportive
www.humanrace.com
