This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36161788

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Tour de Yorkshire 2016 due to start in Beverley Tour de Yorkshire 2016 starts in Beverley
(about 4 hours later)
Thousands of spectators are expected to turn out for the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire race which gets under way later. Split into three stages, the cycle race covers 515 km (320 miles) across the Yorkshire landscape. Thousands of spectators have turned out for the start of the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire race.
The men's race starts in Beverley, East Yorkshire, later and will end on Sunday in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Split into three stages, the cycle race covers 515 km (320 miles) across the Yorkshire landscape.
The men's race started in Beverley, East Yorkshire and will end on Sunday in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
Last year's inaugural race was watched by an estimated 1m people and brought £50m into the region's economy, tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire said.Last year's inaugural race was watched by an estimated 1m people and brought £50m into the region's economy, tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire said.
Is Yorkshire still in love with cycling? Live coverage of the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire.
The women's race is due to start on Saturday - a 136 km route between Otley, West Yorkshire, and Doncaster, South Yorkshire.The women's race is due to start on Saturday - a 136 km route between Otley, West Yorkshire, and Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
With the multi-coloured peleton, the event promises to be a colourful weekend with communities greeting the race around the route, Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said.With the multi-coloured peleton, the event promises to be a colourful weekend with communities greeting the race around the route, Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said.
He added: "In just our second edition we have attracted some incredible riders with great depth and experience. I'm delighted with how many riders are making a return to Yorkshire from the 2014 Tour de France and 2015 Tour de Yorkshire."He added: "In just our second edition we have attracted some incredible riders with great depth and experience. I'm delighted with how many riders are making a return to Yorkshire from the 2014 Tour de France and 2015 Tour de Yorkshire."
As well as the professional race, there is a mass-participation "sportive" for cyclists along the same roads as the Tour de Yorkshire.As well as the professional race, there is a mass-participation "sportive" for cyclists along the same roads as the Tour de Yorkshire.
The idea for the event was launched after Yorkshire hosted the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014.The idea for the event was launched after Yorkshire hosted the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014.
This year's course will feature bunting, bikes and bizarre welcomes for the race participants.This year's course will feature bunting, bikes and bizarre welcomes for the race participants.
On the slopes of Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire, members of a scout group have created a piece of art they hope will be spotted by the TV cameras in the helicopters covering the race.On the slopes of Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire, members of a scout group have created a piece of art they hope will be spotted by the TV cameras in the helicopters covering the race.
The large white letters spelling out the longest place name in England - Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe - have been made with 70 bed sheets.The large white letters spelling out the longest place name in England - Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe - have been made with 70 bed sheets.
The market town of Thirsk has also been "yarn bombed" - or covered in knitted and crocheted designs - to welcome the riders.The market town of Thirsk has also been "yarn bombed" - or covered in knitted and crocheted designs - to welcome the riders.
Stage one: Beverley to Settle - 186 kmStage one: Beverley to Settle - 186 km
Riders will parade around Beverley, which played host to the 2015 Tour, before heading to the racecourse for the ceremonial start at 11:50 ahead of the race start at 12:00 BST. Riders rode around Beverley, which played host to the 2015 Tour, before heading to the racecourse for the ceremonial start at 11:50 ahead of the race start at 12:00 BST.
They will then weave through the Wolds, crossing the A64 at Tadcaster before heading north past Wetherby and into the Yorkshire Dales. They are now weaving through the Wolds, before crossing the A64 at Tadcaster and heading north past Wetherby and into the Yorkshire Dales.
Once the cyclists leave Pateley Bridge there is a tough climb at Greenhow Hill. It is then downhill from Grassington to Gargrave and along the A65 before a finish in Settle at just after 16:30.Once the cyclists leave Pateley Bridge there is a tough climb at Greenhow Hill. It is then downhill from Grassington to Gargrave and along the A65 before a finish in Settle at just after 16:30.
Stage two: Otley to Doncaster - 136 kmStage two: Otley to Doncaster - 136 km
The second leg, which begins in the home town of Olympic cyclist and 2014's Otley Grand Prix winner, Lizzie Armitstead, will see male and female cyclists ride the same route for the first time.The second leg, which begins in the home town of Olympic cyclist and 2014's Otley Grand Prix winner, Lizzie Armitstead, will see male and female cyclists ride the same route for the first time.
Past Harewood, the start of last year's Grand Depart, riders should be able to pick up speed as the route loops to the east of Leeds. The race then heads south towards Pontefract and into South Yorkshire for a finish in Doncaster.Past Harewood, the start of last year's Grand Depart, riders should be able to pick up speed as the route loops to the east of Leeds. The race then heads south towards Pontefract and into South Yorkshire for a finish in Doncaster.
The women's race will see a ceremonial start from 08:15 before the race real begins at 08:30. It is expected to end around 11:30.The women's race will see a ceremonial start from 08:15 before the race real begins at 08:30. It is expected to end around 11:30.
Meanwhile a ceremonial start for the men's race will take place at 14:20 with the official start 10 minutes later. The riders are expected to arrive at the finish line at around 17:30.Meanwhile a ceremonial start for the men's race will take place at 14:20 with the official start 10 minutes later. The riders are expected to arrive at the finish line at around 17:30.
Stage three: Middlesbrough to Scarborough - 198 kmStage three: Middlesbrough to Scarborough - 198 km
The final day starts in Middlesbrough, which forms part of the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire before riders take a tour of market towns including Stokesley and Northallerton.The final day starts in Middlesbrough, which forms part of the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire before riders take a tour of market towns including Stokesley and Northallerton.
From Thirsk they will head on to Sutton Bank and through the national park before going over the moors to Whitby and finishing along Marine Drive in Scarborough.From Thirsk they will head on to Sutton Bank and through the national park before going over the moors to Whitby and finishing along Marine Drive in Scarborough.
The ceremonial start takes place at 11:10 with the race proper getting under way at 11:35. It's expected the riders will finish the route at approximately 16:30.The ceremonial start takes place at 11:10 with the race proper getting under way at 11:35. It's expected the riders will finish the route at approximately 16:30.