2020 Tour de Yorkshire and ASDA Tour de Yorkshire women's race postponed due to COVID-19

As part of the fight against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19), Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) have made the joint decision to postpone the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire and Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race.

The event is one of the best supported races in the cycling calendar but the safety of everyone involved from the athletes to the spectators must be the number one priority.

Following consultation with stakeholders and sponsors Welcome to Yorkshire held in depth and constructive discussions with both ASO and British Cycling (both TDY race partners) with all parties in agreement that this is the right and responsible course of action.

The sixth edition of the annual cycle race was scheduled to take place between 30th April and 3rd May 2020 but the developing situation with regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) means continuing with the event as planned simply became untenable.

A key factor in the decision-making process was the consideration of the additional burden that such a large-scale event places on the emergency services and local authority partners, at a time when their priorities are rightly elsewhere. It is important to reiterate that the overriding concern for all partners involved is the health and safety of the public at this time.

Peter Box CBE, Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “The race is a great spectacle, but we all know that the health and well-being of everyone across the region, and the country, is frankly more important than a sporting event. Our attention now turns to supporting those tourism businesses across the region, many still reeling from the floods, during this unprecedented crisis.”

Welcome to Yorkshire, ASO and British Cycling are working with the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) to find alternative dates in the international cycling calendar for the race to take place.

Welcome to Yorkshire understands the impact that postponing the race will have on the tourism industry across the region. This early decision gives us the opportunity to focus our efforts on how we can support businesses at this time and continue to promote the region as a destination to visit going forward.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Tour de Yorkshire was launched in 2015 as a legacy of the 2014 Grand Départ. It is organised by Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation.

• The men’s race will form part of the inaugural UCI ProSeries.

• The Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race was awarded 2.1 status in 2016.

• 1.96 million spectators lined the route for the 2019 edition.

• The 2019 edition was watched by a record 28 million TV viewers in 190 countries.

• The 2019 edition generated £60 million for the Yorkshire economy.

• The race is supported by Asda, LNER, NTT, Le Coq Sportif, Mavic, Tissot, Global, Leeds Bradford Airport, Eisberg Alcohol Free Wine, Soreen, Sky Betting & Gaming and Black Sheep.

The official Tour de Yorkshire website can be found at www.letouryorkshire.com

More information on Bike Libraries can be found at http://bikelibraries.yorkshire.com

To apply to be considered as a Tour Maker visit http://letour.yorkshire.com/tour-makers

For further information, contact:

Alice Bailey

Senior Press Officer

abailey@yorkshire.com

0113 322 3563