Full route of 2016 Tour de Yorkshire unveiled

Scarborough will host the finish of next year's second edition of the Tour de Yorkshire, which will begin in Beverley. Meanwhile a one-day women's race will be held alongside Stage 2 of the men's race, starting in Otley, home town of world champion Lizzie Armitstead.

The opening stage of this May's race was won in Scarborough by eventual overall champion Lars Petter Nordhaug of Team Sky, and the seaside resort is the only stage town to return from last year.

Meanwhile Sunday May 1 will also see the return of the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride, with 6,000 participants following much of the route of the final day of the men's race. You can register your interest here.

The full route of the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire, unveiled in Otley this morning, is:

Stage 1: Friday 29 April 2016: Beverley to Settle, 184km

2 x sprint points (Bubwith, Giggleswick)

1 x King of the Mountain (Greenhow Hill)

Total ascent: 1,832m

Stage 2: Saturday 30 April 2016: Otley to Doncaster, 135.5km

2 x sprint points (Scholes, Warmsworth)

3 x King/Queen of the Mountain (Harewood Bank, East Rigton, Conisbrough Castle)

Total ascent: 1,110m

Stage 3: Sunday 1 May 2016: Middlesbrough to Scarborough, 196km

2 x sprint points (Thirsk and Whitby Abbey)

6 x King of the Mountain (Sutton Bank, Blakey Ridge, Grosmont, Robin Hood’s Bay, Harwood Dale and Oliver’s Mount)

Total ascent: 2,593m

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, which arranges the race in partnership with Tour de France owners ASO, said: “For next year’s race we’ve selected routes which showcase Yorkshire’s stunning scenery and will also deliver an excellent sporting event.

“Our first race was phenomenally successful, bringing 1.5 million spectators to the roadside, generating over £50million for the regional economy and being broadcast around the world – not many races can say that.

“The stages we’ve revealed today are eagerly anticipated by fans, riders and teams and we have all the ingredients for another spectacular race which will bring the crowds back out.”

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme added: “I am always happy to be back in Yorkshire and today marks an important milestone for the race.

“Feedback from teams and riders last year was excellent and this year we have three stages which together create a race right to the end; the final King of the Mountain points are barely six kilometres from the final finish line.”