Organisers raring to go with Tour de Yorkshire 2016 already in the works

TOURISM body Welcome to Yorkshire is already planning the Tour de Yorkshire 2016, and is in talks with local authorities who want a piece of the action.

Race organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and Welcome to Yorkshire are planning a new route for the 2016 race and are in discussions with councils who have expressed an interest in directing the Tour through their areas.

National and international companies are being looked at as potential sponsors. Coverage this year reached 177 countries throughout the world according to the organisation.

1.5m people watched the inaugural three-day race and pre-race forecasts estimated it would be add up to £40m to the region’s economy.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said; “Yorkshire’s ability to host a world class sporting event is now proven; with our partners ASO and the local authorities we have created a fantastic event which we are confident will grow year on year to become one of the biggest sporting events in the world. We are now seeking expressions of interest for new start and finish towns and sponsors to help deliver the Tour de Yorkshire 2016”.

Yorkshire Bank, Dimensions Data, P&O Ferries, Mavic, Milltag and JCT600 are all sponsors of the Tour de Yorkshire.

The 2015 Tour de Yorkshire was the inaugural international race, after the success of the region’s Grand Depart in 2014.