Tour de Yorkshire 2017 to head through Halifax and Brighouse

The country's top cyclists will be heading to Calderdale after organisers of the Tour de Yorkshire revealed the stage routes for next year's event.

Stage 3 from Bradford to Fox Valley will see riders cycle 194.5km on Sunday April 30.

The stage has been named The Yorkshire Terrier as organisers describe it as the toughest stage in the history of the Tour de Yorkshire.

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The race starts in Bradford and enters Calderdale from Northowram, descending into Stump Cross before turning right and past Shibden Mill Inn.

Cyclists will then make the sharp, steep, cobbled ascent up Lee Lane, more commonly known as Shibden Wall.

This 0.8km climb at 15.5% gradient is a beast! Some may remember this section of route featured in the 1988 Milk Race and proved so tough that the riders of the 1988 Kellogg’s Tour (Sean Kelly, no less) climbed up on the pavement, resulting in a satisfying Mexican wave of spectators pirouetting off the asphalt and onto the cobbles to watch the thin line, featuring Joey McLoughlin and Yvon Madiot, ride up to the summit.

Following this King of the Mountains climb cyclists descend into Halifax, skirt the town and make their way up Beacon Hill Road and out towards Southowram.

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Riders will then race towards Brighouse, through the town and out through Clifton before entering Kirklees.

In response to today’s announcement from Welcome to Yorkshire about the route for the Tour de Yorkshire 2017, Councillor Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s Leader said: “It’s wonderful news that the Tour de Yorkshire is returning to Calderdale next year, coming to new parts of the borough that can experience the excitement of the event.

“Hosting the Tour de France in 2014 and the first annual Tour de Yorkshire last year was a great success for tourism, business and cycling in Calderdale, so we’re excited to build on this when our fantastic area is showcased once again.

“Through our Active Calderdale project we’re aiming to make Calderdale the most active borough in the north – follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #ActiveCdale.

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Cycling here is a great way to keep moving and we have a real mixture of terrains for all abilities, including some of the most challenging parts of the Tour de Yorkshire route.

“There’s a real passion for cycling in Calderdale and lots of ways to get involved, and we continue to do all we can to boost this.

“The return of the Tour de Yorkshire will help to keep our cycling legacy alive.”