City of York Council has announced that the York city centre cycling races will return for a third year on Sunday 21 July 2013

Promoted by Clifton Cycling Club in conjunction with British Cycling the races will see hundreds of cyclists from grassroots to elite level race through the historic streets of York.

21 July 2013 is also a significant date in the world cycling calendar as it is when the 100th Tour de France will draw to a dramatic close on the cobbles of the Champs-Élysées in Paris. After the stage has finished the baton will be passed to Yorkshire to host the Le Grand Départ 2014 with stage two starting in York.

TThe route of the races is unchanged from that of 2011. The start – and finish line – will be on Duncombe Place, with riders then swinging left onto Blake Street and Davygate. They will then take a tight left turn around St Sampson’s Square and race up Goodramgate and Deansgate. The riders will then ride over the newly refurbished Minster piazza where they will be fighting for position on the last lap if the race comes down to a sprint on Duncombe Place.

The youth race will start at 5:30pm and will last for approximately 30 minutes. The category 3/4 race will start at 6:15pm and last for 40 minutes plus three laps. The elite level and category 1/2 riders will get going from 7pm with the race lasting one hour plus three laps.

The elite level race is sure to bring some famous faces from the domestic professional cycling scene. The 2011 winner, Ed Clancy went on to win gold in the Team Pursuit, and bronze in the six-stage Omnium event at the London 2012 Games.

“York’s 2013 city centre cycling races will be a great chance for people to get a taste of what will be happening in 2014 when stage two of Le Grand Départ starts from York”.

When the races were last held in 2011, approximately 10,000 spectators lined the route to cheer on the riders and bring a welcome lift to local businesses. I hope even more will come and watch the races this summer.