Tour de Yorkshire race guide

We take a closer look at the route as world-class bike racing returns to the roads of Yorkshire.

Preview of the 1st edition

The inaugural Tour de Yorkshire sees world-class bike racing return to the scene of a magical event last summer.

The three-day stage race (1-3 May) continues the legacy of cycling in the region following 2014's astonishing Tour de France Grand Depart. Massive crowds lined the entire route for two days in Yorkshire, making the opening stages the defining scenes of the entire race for many.

The event also presents Team Sky with another welcome chance to race in front of a home crowd, with a number of WorldTour and Pro Continental squads taking on the cream of domestic UK talent - including one very familiar face.

Lining up for Team Sky is proud Yorkshireman Ben Swift. The Brit will be hoping to battle it out for stage wins and will be joined by Ian Boswell, Philip Deignan, Nathan Earle, David Lopez, Lars Petter Nordhaug, Salvatore Puccio and Chris Sutton at the start in Bridlington.

Stages

Friday 1 May - Stage one: Bridlington - Scarborough, 174km

Day one starts and finishes on the coast with a bunch sprint expected to produce the first recipient of the blue jersey. That doesn't mean it's plain sailing for the peloton, with a deceptively tough parcours taking in some tough climbs. The riders head for the scenic North York Moors, but it's around Whitby where business really picks up. Short, sharp climbs like the Cote de Grosmont and Cote de Robin Hood's Bay will test the resolve of the sprinters. Things should regroup on the run for home with the sprint trains making their way into Scarborough for a seafront bunch kick.

TV coverage: Live on Eurosport 2 and ITV4 between 1430-1630.

Saturday 2 May - Stage two: Selby - York, 174km

Another day for the fast men, stage two flits between North and East Yorkshire before culminating in a circuit around York. Just two significant climbs at North Newbald and Fimber punctuate the action as the race heads as far north as Malton. Diverting back into York, the riders arrive in the city centre to take on two full laps of the 20.5km finishing circuit. Sprinters' teams should control the action before the speed really ramps up on the final lap.

TV coverage: Live on Eurosport 2 and ITV4 between 1400-1600.

Sunday 3 May - Stage three: Wakefield - Leeds, 167km

The final test of the race is by far the hardest and the queen stage could see the destination of the blue jersey change ahead of the finale in Leeds. A saw-tooth profile reveals a relentless barrage of climbing with some painful gradients to overcome on terrain which greeted the riders in the 2014 Tour. At Holmfirth the riders pick up last year's race route in reverse, hitting Cragg Vale, Haworth and the famed local Cow & Calf climb. Otley Chevin provides the final climb before the run into Leeds and Roundhay Park.

TV coverage: Live on Eurosport 2 between 1530-1700 and ITV4 from 1500-1700.