BUSINESSES and residents are being urged to work together to promote Ryedale as the area prepares to host the Tour de Yorkshire.

The inaugural three-day event, which will be held in May, will take in Pickering, Dalby Forest and the North York Moors National Park, as well as going through Norton town centre.

Councillor Ray King, mayor of Norton, said he was delighted to hear of the Tour de Yorkshire’s route.

“We are looking forward to welcoming cyclists and spectators alike and plan to make their visit to Norton-on-Derwent as memorable as possible,” he said.

“All local businesses and residents are urged to contact the council with any ideas they may have for celebrating this fantastic event.”

Di Keal, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Thirsk and Malton, and a member of Norton Town Council said it was great news.

“There was a buzz in the town last week when the route was announced and plans are already afoot to give riders a warm welcome and make the day in May a real community event,” she added.

However, Coun Keal said since the announcement one comment has been on everyone’s lips - ‘how can we have such a prestigious race pass through town with Church Street full of more pot holes than road?’ “The latest commitment from the county council is for urgent repairs in the next financial year – and I hope that they will crack on and get this work completed in time for the Tour de Yorkshire.”

The Tour de Yorkshire is a new race being organised by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and Welcome to Yorkshire (WTY), supported by British Cycling and is expected to attract visitors from all over the world.

Anna Lupton, owner of Carr House Farm bed and breakfast in Ampleforth, said she had already had inquiries from as far afield as Japan.

“It is really good news and I think Ryedale and especially Norton are such friendly places that the area will do really well from this,” she said.

“Everyone is going to benefit from this event, not just businesses like ours and I think visitors will be blown away at just how lovely Ryedale is.”

Andy Wilson, chief executive of the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: “We’re delighted and very excited that the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire is taking in such a large part of the North York Moors National Park.

“The route will provide the cyclists and the watching global public with many of our must-sees, including ancient woodland, rolling moorland, picture-postcard villages and stunning heritage coast. “The North York Moors has carved out a well-deserved reputation as being a fantastic place for mountain biking, the Tour de Yorkshire will highlight to the world that our quiet lanes and fantastic views make it a top destination for road cyclists too.”

Councillor Linda Cowling, leader of Ryedale District Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the delights of Ryedale can be showcased not just once but twice 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.”

William Oxley, chairman of the Ryedale Tourism Advisory Board, said: “Ryedale has hosted the Tour of Britain and international mountain biking events in the past.

“The Tour De Yorkshire provides another superb opportunity for local businesses, towns and villages to work together to promote the area throughout the weekend and as a premiere destination for visiting cyclists in the future.”

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome To Yorkshire, said: “Before the Grand Départ had even finished, people all across Yorkshire were asking ‘When can we have more cycling?’ “The Tour de Yorkshire will bring back many of the world’s top cycling teams and there will be an opportunity for ordinary people to ride the same roads on the same day in the sportive.

“And this is a free event to watch so there is an opportunity for everyone in the county to be part of the Tour de Yorkshire in one way or another.

“The Tour de Yorkshire will be an annual event and the organisers hope it will grow year-on-year to be one of the biggest events in the cycling calendar and position Yorkshire as the heartland of cycling in Europe.”

 

Seeing the sights on cycle route

York Press:

 

STAGE one, on Friday, May 1, will start in Bridlington, heading along the Flamborough Head Heritage Coast, before turning away from the coast into the North York Moors National Park, through Dalby Forest and towards Pickering. Riders will then head back to the coast at Whitby, and south to Robin Hood’s Bay, with the finish line on the seafront at Scarborough.

Stage two takes in much of the Wolds, and from Selby will travel towards Market Weighton, through North Newbald and on to Beverley, where they will turn north to Norton, then on to Stamford Bridge, before doing a circuit of York.

 

York Press:

 

The final day will take cyclists on a route from Leeds to Wakefield.

• Full details can be found at letour.yorkshire.com/tour-de-yorkshire and information about the route in Ryedale, local accommodation and events can be found at VisitRyedale.co.uk