THE six towns to host next year's Tour de Yorkshire have bene announced.

They are Bradford, Harrogate, Bridlington, Sheffield, Scarborough and Tadcaster.

Parts of the race will either start or finish in these places.

Full details of the routes - which could see cyclists coming into Craven - will be revealed in December.

Organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) revealed the chosen host towns today (Tuesday). The three-day men’s race held from Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30.

The women’s race will be held on Saturday. April 29.

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “In just two years the Tour de Yorkshire has become one of the biggest and best races on the professional cycling calendar. Riders are overwhelmed by the support they receive on the roadside and the racing is among the most exciting you will see all season.

"The third edition will continue that progression and the attention it receives will be greater than ever given that we have just succeeded in bringing the UCI Road World Championships to the county in 2019. "

He added: “The world’s best cyclists will be using the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire as a first dress rehearsal for that and we’re planning a course that will challenge and impress them in equal measure. I’m delighted the race will visit all four corners of the county and all six host towns will put on a brilliant show.”

The full 2017 race route will be unveiled in December and will include exact start and finish locations and the distance and profile of the race.