Tour de Yorkshire in York 2015: Where, when and what’s on

It’s here: the first ever Tour de Yorkshire. Returning to God’s own county after the triumph of last year’s Tour de France, some of the world’s finest, fastest cycle racers hit the streets.

Staged over three days, from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3 2015 the Tour de Yorkshire takes riders from Bridlington to Leeds, up hill and down dale.

And it comes to York on the Saturday, May 2. Here’s everything you need to know on about Stage 2 in York on one page.

Where and when

The stage will start at 11.20am outside Selby Abbey.

After an 8km procession, the race proper begins on the A163 outside Selby at 11.45am.

On their journey to York riders will pass through towns and villages, at these approximate times:

Twice round York

The cyclists are due to pile into York at about 2.35pm.

Entering via Holtby Lane and Murton, the riders take on two and half laps of a 20km finishing circuit, around the city from the Racecourse and out to Murton, with the finish on Knavesmire Road expected to be between 3.30 and 4pm.

They go along these streets:

A professional women’s race will cover five laps of the same 20km finishing circuit in the morning, with the race starting at 11am at Knavesmire Road. This will give people another great chance to see world class cycling in York.

The ones to watch

The most famous name is Sir Bradley Wiggins. The 2012 Tour de France winner debuts for his new team WIGGINS (wonder where they got that name from?). He has new kit and a new bike, the Pinarello Dogma.

His old muckers in Team Sky are led by Ben Swift, while another hot tip is German sprinter Marcel Kittel, on the Giant-Alpecin team. He won the opening stage of the Tour de France in Harrogate last year, but is recovering from illness.

And former Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez is on the BMC Racing team.

To see all the riders and their colours, check out this page on the official race site.

In the women’s race Dame Sarah Storey and Joanna Rowsell will line up alongside nearly 100 of the UK’s best female cyclists to tackle four laps of the 20km circuit.

Which roads are closed?

Lots of York will be closed to traffic for most of Saturday, May 2. These roads will be closed from 8am to 5pm, or as soon as possible after the race has finished.

What else is going on?

Street parties, music festivals and feasts have all been organised to add even more fun to York’s day in the Tour de Yorkshire sun. Here’s a few highlights…

E By Eck Party

York’s party street, Bishopthorpe Road, wheels out its well-used bunting again for a celebration of the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race.

There are three live music stages, Yorkshire-themed stalls, more than 20 bands, buskers, entertainers, street food and children’s entertainment.

Fossgate Festival

The Lord Mayor opens Fossgate Festival to celebrate the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race and to raise money for SASH, a charity that helps young homeless people.

The fun event includes a beer festival, barbecue, cooking demonstrations by Ambiente Tapas and two live music stages.

Le 4 de Yorkshire

A tasty collaboration between four pubs (four/tour – geddit?), the Waggon & Horses, Phoenix, Mason’s Arms and Woolpack serve up 40 Yorkshire-brewed beers over four days.

There’s live music at the Woolpack on Friday, a DJ on Saturday and live blues on Sunday.

The New Ebor Street Feast

Competing cyclists can hop off their bikes and head straight to the New Ebor Street Feast at the Knavesmire finish line.
After 174km, they’ll probably be ready for some music, street food and craft beer.