CYCLING fans are expected to turn out in their thousands in Craven and the wider county to see their heroes in next year's Tour de Yorkshire race.


Stage one of the three-stage event – on April 29 – will finish in Settle and will feature 'sprint' points at Threshfield and Giggleswick, while one of the 'King of the Mountain' points is at Greenhow Hill.


In Craven, the 184-kilometre stage passes through Grassington, Cracoe, Gargrave and Long Preston after starting in Beverley.


The event, which is expected to feature some of the top names in world cycling, was launched today by Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, in Otley, home town of the current women's World Champion Lizzie Armitstead.


The first Tour of Yorkshire was held this year.


The second stage is from Otley to Doncaster, on April 30, with the third stage from Middlesbrough to Scarborough on May 1.

A race for women follows exactly the same route as the second stage on the same day, starting in the morning while the men's race starts in the afternoon.


Craven District Council leader, Cllr Richard Foster, said: “We’re thrilled the Tour de Yorkshire will pass through so much of our amazing countryside and it’s very exciting Settle will host the finish of the first stage.


“The race will loop around Settle, so anyone wtching there will get the chance to see the riders up close twice.


“With spectators likely to travel from far and wide, and television coverage around the world, this will be a great boost for tourism and the local economy.”


This year's winner was Norwegian Lars-Petter Nordhaug, of Team Sky.