TADCASTER has won a massive boost in its battle to recover from the floods with news it is to be a host town for next year's Tour de Yorkshire.

One of the three days' races will start or finish in the brewery town, which has been struggling since the bridge over the River Wharfe partially collapsed after the Boxing Day flooding.

Town councillor Kirsty Perkins said: "I cannot tell you how chuffed we are - we chuffed to bits!

"It's a huge event which should put Tadcaster back on the map and bring people back into the town."

She said the race attracted 25,000 to Beverley and only a proportion of that would be a huge benefit to Tadcaster, where shops have suffered a loss of through trade since the bridge collapsed.

She said she hoped the riders would cross the bridge, which is due to re-open by the end of this year following a major repair project.

Selby District Council leader Mark Crane said: “This will be a massive boost for traders and residents, and it’s well deserved after a really tough year. 

"We know from our experience of hosting a start in Selby in 2015 and from being on the route of this year’s race that there is enormous benefit to taking part – that’s why we backed a bid for Tadcaster.

“We think this can deliver a long-term boost for the town too, not just on race day.  People from around the world watch the event on TV, and what a perfect way to show off the town. 

"Tadcaster is a great centre for cycling too, and based on the support we got from the town for its part in the 2016 race, I’m confident that people will really get behind this and make the most of the fantastic opportunity.”

The five other host towns, announced this morning by organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation, are Harrogate, Scarborough, Bradford, Bridlington and Fox Valley at Sheffield. The races will run from Friday April 28 to Sunday April 30, with the women’s race held on Saturday April 29.

The full 2017 race route will be unveiled in December, including the exact start and finish locations and the distance and profile of the race.

York Press:

A spokesman said: "The second edition took place earlier this year and achieved significant growth on the back of an impressive debut in 2015. The number of roadside spectators increased from 1.5 to 2 million and the race attracted 11.4 million global TV viewers, up from 6 million in 2015.

"The event also boosted the local economy by £60 million and 2017 promises to continue that trend following the news that Yorkshire will host the UCI Road World Championships in 2019."

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “In just two years, the Tour de Yorkshire has become one of the biggest and best races on the professional cycling calendar.

"Riders are overwhelmed by the support they receive on the roadside and the racing is among the most exciting you will see all season.

“The third edition will continue that progression and the attention it receives will be greater than ever given that we have just succeeded in bringing the UCI Road World Championships to the county in 2019.

The world’s best cyclists will be using the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire as a first dress rehearsal for that and we’re planning a course that will challenge and impress them in equal measure.

“I’m delighted the race will visit all four corners of the county and all six host towns will put on a brilliant show.”

Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France at the A.S.O, said: “The Tour de Yorkshire has done itself proud in building a lasting and hugely-successful legacy on the back of the 2014 Grand Départ. The race is a true success story and we are thrilled to be working in partnership with such a great team at Welcome to Yorkshire. We’re looking forward to another fantastic edition in 2017.”

Next year’s Tour will be also see a return of the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride and give the chance for Tour Makers to volunteer on the race route and help welcome spectators at the event.