Everything you need to know about the Tour de Yorkshire

The hugely anticipated fourth edition of the Tour de Yorkshire international cycle race is now around the corner.

The fourth edition of the men’s race has been expanded from three to four stages and will take place between 3-6 May 2018. The women’s race has also expanded for 2018 and will take place across two days on the 3 and 4 May.

The race encompasses all four corners of the county and takes in 169 villages, towns and cities along the way, with Leeds hosting the grand finale on Sunday 6 May. The race will reach a rip-roaring conclusion on The Headrow – on exactly the same spot as where the Tour de France started in 2014.

The women’s stages will commence in the morning with the men’s stages following in the afternoon.

To mark the start of the race, a huge celebration is being held in Leeds city centre. The Eve of Tour show, which is a free event and open to the public, starts at 6pm on Wednesday 2 May 2018 when stars of the cycling world will be on stage in Millennium Square alongside music from Yorkshire DJ Stephanie Hirst and performances from the Leeds band The Dunwells as well as the Yorkshire Rock Choir.

The event takes place as part of The Village - a 9-day cultural event that has been set up by Leeds City Council, Welcome to Yorkshire and LeedsBID for the very first time to celebrate both the Tour de Yorkshire and the Leeds International Festival. From Saturday 28 April to Sunday 6 May there will be an array of entertainment which will include art and music, Yorkshire food and drink, family activities and lots on offer to satisfy cycling fans.