Everything you need to know about the Tour de Yorkshire 2019: timings, best places to watch, riders participating

Millions of spectators are expected to line the route of this year’s Tour De Yorkshire cycling spectacle.

The four-day event is being held in the region for the fifth year in a row and is taking place this weekend between May 2 to 5.

The men's Tour de Yorkshire competition will take place every day from Thursday to Sunday; while the Asda Women's race will be held in the mornings of Friday and Saturday.

THURSDAY MAY 2, 2019 — DAY ONE: Doncaster to Selby

• Doncaster

• East Cowick

• Howden

• North Ferriby

• Beverley

• Pocklingon

• Elvington

• Escrick

• Selby

The Men’s Race starts in Doncaster Market Place at 1.05pm before heading out on the A19 towards the market towns of Snaith (2.00pm) and Howden (2.21pm).

The route then takes the riders east towards Hull, with the first intermediate sprint section at Elloughton at approximately 2.59pm.

Heading north, riders will then head through the scenic Walkington (3.35pm) and Beverley’s Westwood Pasture (3.40pm) before arriving in Beverley itself at 3.42pm.

After this, the route takes the race up to the Yorkshire Wolds, reaching North Dalton at 4.11pm before the first classified climb of the race at Côte de Baggaby Hill at 4.25pm.

Riders will then almost immediately face their second intermediate sprint heading into Pocklington at 4.29pm.

At this point, the race then heads back into North Yorkshire, going through Elvington at 4.46pm and finally into the day's finish in Selby at approximately 5.29pm.

FRIDAY MAY 3, 2019 — DAY TWO: Barnsley to Bedale

• Barnsley

• Pontefract

• Garforth

• Alwoodley

• Harrogate

• Ripley

• Ripon

• West Tanfield

• Bedale

The women kick off their race in Church Street in Barnsley on Friday morning at 9.05am.

They head north towards Pontefract and their first intermediate sprint at 9.45am.

Heading into North Yorkshire, they will take on their first climb at the Côte de Lindley at 10.58am before completing a circuit of Harrogate and their second sprint at around 11.21am.

The riders continue going north, heading through Ripon at 11.54am before an expected finish in Bedale at 12.33am.

The men follow the earlier women’s race along much the same route – setting off in Barnsley at 2.45pm and hitting their first sprint at Pontefract at 4.21pm.

They will take on the Côte de Lindley climb at 4.25pm before the circuit of Harrogate and second sprint at 4.45pm.

Stage Two riders will then go through Ripon at 5.13pm before a big finish in Bedale at 5.47pm.

SATURDAY MAY 4, 2019 — DAY THREE: Bridlington to Scarborough

• Bridlington

• Hunmanby

• East Ayton

• Harwood Dale

• Robin Hood's Bay

• Whitby

• Sandsend

• Grosmont

• Scarborough

Starting in Bridlington at 9.05am, female riders will take on the North York Moors National Park and cover 132km and five climbs on their way to Scarborough.

The first (the Côte de Silpho) will be at 10.16am, followed by a sprint at Harwood Dale at 10.31am.

Heading past Robin Hood’s Bay at 10.48am, the women will take on the Côte de Hooks House Farm at 10.51am before a sprint to Whitby Abbey at 11.01am.

The Peloton will then go through Whitby town centre and on to Sandsend to start climb number three: Côte de Lythe Bank.

Riders will then come inland going west, then south, before looping back around towards Sleights and climb number four (Côte de Grosmont at 11.45am) and five (Côte de Ugglebarnby at 11.56am).

The two-day Women’s Race is due to finish in Scarborough at 12.44am.

The Men continue a Saturday of cycling action when they head off from Bridlington at 2.45pm.

The first riders are due to start climbing Côte de Silpho by 3:32pm, before the Harwood Dale sprint at 3:44pm.

The second climb at Côte de Hooks House Farm is due at 4:02pm, before the Whitby Abbey sprint at 4:10pm.

The men will tackle three further climbs: Côte de Lythe Bank at 4:21pm, Côte de Grosmont 4:47pm, and Côte de Ugglebarnby at 4:56pm.

The fastest rider should reach Scarborough at 5:37pm.

SUNDAY MAY 5, 2019 — DAY FOUR: Halifax to Leeds

• Halifax

• Haworth

• Oakworth

• Skipton

• Eastby

• Burnsall

• Kilnsey

• Middleham

• East Witton

• Pateley Bridge

• Otley

• Cookridge

• Tinshill

• Leeds

Day Four of the Men's cycling race reaches its conclusion with a gruelling route – departing Halifax Piece Hall at 12:35pm and due into Leeds at 5:03pm.

Key climbs include Côte de Goose Eye at 1:20pm, Côte de Barden Moor at 1:46pm, and Côte de Park Rash at 2:26pm.

Middleham becomes a feeding and collection zone at 2:53pm, before two final climbs: Côte de Greenhow Hill at 3:55pm and Côte de Otley Chevin at 4:34pm.

Tinshill is the day's second and final sprint at 4:46pm, before heading into Leeds at 4:51pm along the A65, A647, and A58.

The peloton should finish between 5:03pm and 5:31pm.

All times based on average speeds of 41kmph.

WHO IS RIDING?

HARRY TANFIELD: The 24-year-old made history in 2018 as the first rider from the county of Yorkshire to win a stage of the race. He's hoping to repeat his stunning success from last year when he rides for team Katusha Alpecin in 2019.

CHRIS FROOME: The four-time Tour de France winner rides this year's race for the first time. Froome is due to appear onstage at the Tour de Yorkshire Eve of Tour celebrations in Millennium Square in Leeds between 6-7pm on Wednesday, May the 1st. This free event offers fans the perfect chance to get close to the riders before racing begins.

MARCEL KITTEL: The 30-year-old last raced in the Tour de Yorkshire in 2015 when he was forced to abandon his race after feeling unwell. He's back for 2019 and says he's looking forward to racing in front of the spectators who line the route.

LIZZIE DEIGNAN: A previous winner, 30-year-old Deignan gave birth to her first child in September last year. She has not competed since the 2017 UCI Road World Championships in Bergen. However, she is hoping to build her fitness back up by riding in the women's race on May 3 and May 4.

MARK CAVENDISH: Cavendish, whose mother is from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, has won 30 Tour de France stages, a UCI Road World Championships title and a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 33-year-old said the reception he received in the race last year influenced his decision to ride again in the tournament.

WHERE TO WATCH:

Spectators are being advised to plan their Tour de Yorkshire vantage points as the final preparations are underway to welcome the race to North Yorkshire.

Similar to previous tours, rolling road closures will be in place, which will see highways closed for around an hour to allow the safe passage of the race. There will be longer delays at the race finish points, some hill climbs, and town centre locations.

There will also be parking restrictions in place along the race route. Road closures will be managed by police and signs will be put in place with details of the closures.

ITV4 also has full, live coverage throughout the four days.