NEW details have been released on North Yorkshire's involvement in the biggest event in the cycling calendar.

The UCI Road World Championships, which sees international riders compete for their countries rather than teams, will visit Yorkshire in 2019, and the routes were announced on Wednesday.

Organisers said Tadcaster would host a race start, with other areas of the Selby district also included in routes for other cycling races during the nine-day event.

Tadcaster will be one of four start points for the para-cycling road races on the first day of the championships, Saturday, September 21, with riders racing to Harrogate, which is the finish location for all the World Championship races. Those taking part in the para-cycling races will be competing to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, so organisers expect the very best riders.

On Friday, September 27, riders in the women’s junior and men’s under-23 road races will also pass through the Selby district on their way from Doncaster to Harrogate, with racers cycling through Kellington, Monk Fryston, Sherburn-in-Elmet and Tadcaster.

Leader of Selby District Council, Cllr Mark Crane, said he was delighted the area would be involved in the event, which will be viewed by people around the worlrd.

He said: "What a great opportunity for Tadcaster – and all the other places in our area on race routes. These events will bring with them the very best cyclists in the world and thousands of spectators. It’s a fantastic opportunity to show the world what our area has to offer. We know from last year’s Tour de Yorkshire that Tadcaster can put on a great show."

The championships have received financial backing from the government and UK Sport, and the event is being managed by Yorkshire 2019 Ltd, operating as UK Sport.