BARNSLEY has been selected as a host town for the Tour de Yorkshire for a second year running.
Barnsley was among eight locations unveiled by Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation at a launch event on Wednesday evening in Leeds, confirming Barnsley as one of the locations to host either the start or finish line of part of the race next May.
The town joins Bedale, Bridlington, Doncaster, Halifax, Leeds, Scarborough and Selby as hosts.
The Tour de Yorkshire will take place between May 2 and May 5. When the race was held earlier this year, 12.5m TV viewers across 190 countries tuned in to watch the race and more than 2.6m spectators lined the route across Yorkshire.
Leader of Barnsley Council Coun Sir Steve Houghton said: “It’s great news that for the second year we have been chosen as a host town. The town really got behind the event this year and next year we will definitely make it better.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to put Barnsley on the map. Millions of people around the world saw Barnsley and with so many projects happening across the borough such as the town centre regeneration, projects in Wentworth and Penistone, it’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase what Barnsley has to offer.
“Last year we filled the town centre and it’s an opportunity we cannot turn down, especially with it being a worldwide event. I know the people of Barnsley will get behind it and for me it will be worth every penny we spend.”
Coun Roy Miller said: “We’re delighted to once again host part of this thrilling race which has become firmly established as a fantastic event for Barnsley and Yorkshire.
“People came out in their thousands to enjoy this year’s race and next year’s will be even better ahead of the Yorkshire 2019 World Championships.
“Cycling is popular across our borough; we’re lucky to have many cycle routes and beautiful scenery. It promises to be a fantastic event for people of all ages, showcasing everything that is brilliant about Barnsley.”
Mayor of South Yorkshire and Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to hear the news. We have a well-established tradition of cycling excellence in Yorkshire, especially in Barnsley, and it’s wonderful that once again Barnsley will play its part in the Tour de Yorkshire.”
The 2019 edition has been upgraded to HC status by cycling’s world governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - the highest category possible for a multi-day race outside of the UCI World Tour.
The full route will be announced in December.
