Riders in the Tour de Yorkshire can select route of their choice

From the rugged rocky headland and colourful seaside traditions of the South Bay, to the bright beach huts of the award-winning sandy North Bay, Scarborough is set to provide the prefect backdrop for the sporting challenge.

The ride takes place on Sunday 1 May, and riders can choose from three distances: the long route at 119km, medium route 85km and the short route 40km.

There will be a number of iconic climbs with a total elevation of 1,620 metres on the long route, 1,312m on the medium and 553m on the short.

Cycling fans will no doubt remember the huge crowds which filled Scarborough’s North Bay in May 2015 to cheer on some of the world’s finest professional riders, including Sir Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky’s Lars Petter Nordhaug, the eventual winner of the race.

Huge crowds are expected to return to Scarborough to watch the climax of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire on Sunday May 1.

This will mean that as sportive riders cross the same finish line as the pros, they’ll be cheered on by spectators already there and waiting for the pro race.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride offers participants a beautiful landscape, a real sporting challenge and the chance to cross the same finish line as the pro racers, and I’m sure it will be an unforgettable day.”

The ride includes mechanical support just like the pros, medical support, energy products at fully stocked feed stations, electronic chip timing, an immediate result text and a finisher’s medal.

Guaranteed entry places are now closed, and all those who entered the ballot will have been notified. General entry places are now available, at 2015 prices. Full details and how to enter can be found here: www.letouryorkshire.com/sportive