Criterium International for Yorkshire?

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The Tour de France's organizers (Amaury Sport Organisation, ASO), the "Welcome to Yorkshire" tourism body, and British Cycling are all set to stage a brand new international cycling race in Yorkshire from May 2015 onwards.

The new race is set to be a major addition to the International cycling circuit with a commitment to run each year until at least 2017.

Cycling Across the North Yorkshire Moors national Park

The North York Moors Offer Everyday Cyclists Lots of Choices.

Yorkshire's three-day race is planned along similar lines to the Criterium International - another ASO event - that takes place in the spring of each year in Corsica.

So the new race will offer cycling-fans three whole days of elite-level cycling right across the County of Yorkshire - including North Yorkshire.

A stage of the new race is expected to take-in the majestic Spring-time scenary on offer on the North York Moors surrounding Rosedale Abbey - with a finish in Scarborough.

I really hope that the new race takes in the challenge offered by our own Chimney Bank - long-regarded as Englands steepest public road!

I still have fond memories of the riders in Britains' most prestigious cycling event - "the Milk Race" - flashing through Rosedale Abbey and up the bank between 1958 and 1993.

Milk Race

The North York Moors Around Rosedale Abbey have a Long Association with Elite Road Racing.

There will also be a start with a split stage - a time trial and short road stage.

If the new race follows the format of the Criterium International, it will start with road stage and time trial taking place on the opening day.

That will be followed by two longer road stages on the next two days.

According to Yorkshire Tourism, there is no plan to stage a women's version of the race in the initial three-year deal, but it is hoped it can be added later.

There is also a longer-term plan to stage an event for amateur cyclists.

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Cycling on the Quiet Country Roads Around Roasedale is Just a Joy.

This is particularly good news for cycling fans in Yorkshire, where interest in the sport has sky-rocketed this year.

And if this year's accommodation free-for-all in the Yorkshire dales is anything to go by, it might be a good idea to start booking accommodation on the North York Moors for May 2015!

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