TALKS are being held on plans for the 2016 edition of the Tour de Yorkshire international cycle race.

The race organisers, ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) and Welcome to Yorkshire, are looking for a new route and are meeting with local authorities who have expressed an interest in holding a start or finish of the race next year.

They are also talking to companies in Yorkshire, nationally and internationally about opportunities for title sponsorship and the leader’s jersey.

Live coverage of this year's event was featured on ITV4, British Eurosport and in 177 countries, with nearly 300 journalists from across the globe attending to report on the event. PR coverage was reported to be in excess of £100million pounds in advertising equivalent.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Yorkshire’s ability to host a world-class sporting event is now proven. With our partners ASO and the local authorities, we have created a fantastic event which we are confident will grow year on year to become one of the biggest sporting events in the world. We are now seeking expressions of interest for new start and finish towns and sponsors to help deliver the Tour de Yorkshire 2016."

Dates for the race will be confirmed in Autumn. Organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and ASO have confirmed they will apply for the same weekend of racing, the first weekend of May, for the 2016 edition.