On 29 April, Tadcaster will welcome the Tour de Yorkshire men’s and women’s races.
The town offers a unique experience for spectators being only one of two hosts to hold the two races.
To celebrate the arrival of the Tour de Yorkshire Tadcaster will be hosting a Cycle Festival. The festival will be held in locations across the town, but predominately along St Joseph's Street. There'll be a wide range of entertainment and interactive stalls to keep you busy throughout the day. Activities include Minster FM roadshow and stage, demonstrations from world champion trial biker Jack Carthy, vintage bikes on display at the Riley Smith Hall, live street art by graffiti artist Sledone, Tadcaster's 'Tour de Canard' duck race on the river and big screens showing the race live. The entertainment will begin at 10am and finishes at 6pm. An on-line festival programme will soon be available to download on the Council’s website.
There’s also entertainment along the race route too, including the Yorkshire Regiment Drumming Corps marching through the town, a charity bike ride and the children's best-dressed bike parade. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience the race publicity caravan, which gives you a chance to get your hands on some race goodies. The caravan will arrive in Tadcaster at 12.05pm.
Both races will start on the east side of the town, heading over Tadcaster Bridge to the west, passing through the town and residential areas, heading north out of the town towards Toulston along the A659. The women’s race will start at 9.10am with the men’s race starting later in the day at 2.00pm.
A number of high profile teams and riders will be taking part in the race. The men’s teams include world tour outfits Team Sky, BMC Racing Team and Orica-Scott as well as domestic teams including JLT Condor and ONE Pro Cycling. The women’s race has a top line-up of teams confirmed including Boels-Dolmans, Drops Cycling Team and Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling. On the Tadcaster start line, you'll see the best cycling talent including last year’s men’s race winner Thomas Voeckler and top British cyclists Owain Doull, Luke Rowe, Lizzie Deignan and Dame Sarah Storey.
When heading to Tadcaster to watch the race on the 29 April make sure you plan ahead. Please visit the Selby District Council tour pages to familiarise yourself with Tour de Yorkshire information covering topics such as car and bike parking. Specific information about road closures and parking restrictions can be found via the North Yorkshire County Council website.
