The Tour de Yorkshire is off, both the men and the women's races.

Welcome to Yorkshire and ASO which runs the Tour de France decided jointly to postpone the four-day cycling extravaganza which was due to start on April.

They had also talked to British Cycling which earlier today cancelled all races in Britain for the whole of April.

At the same time, ASO announced the cancellation of a series of major races in Belgium and France including the iconic Paris Roubaix race across cobbles.

Peter Box CBE, Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire said about the Tour de Yorkshire: “The race is a great spectacle, but we all know that the health and well-being of everyone across the region, and the country, is frankly more important than a sporting event.

"Our attention now turns to supporting those tourism businesses across the region, many still reeling from the floods, during this unprecedented crisis.”

The Tour de Yorkshire only started in 2015 following the Tour de France's visit to Yorkshire in 2014, but has quickly won a reputation for having some of the biggest crowds of any professional race.

In its statement, Welcome to Yorkshire said: "Welcome to Yorkshire understands the impact that postponing the race will have on the tourism industry across the region. This early decision gives us the opportunity to focus our efforts on how we can support businesses at this time and continue to promote the region as a destination to visit going forward."

The tour organisers are hoping to find another date later this year when it can be run, as are many other cycling races cancelled because of coronavirus.