The route of the Tour de Yorkshire 2018, from 3rd to 6th May 2018, was announced at the Piece Hall in Halifax by Sir Gary Verity on 5th December 2017. Mark Cavendish was among those in attendance.

Here it is, our 2018 #TDY route in full. 3-6 May will be incredible, you won’t want to miss this. pic.twitter.com/ZCE4fnYNoE

— Tour de Yorkshire 🚴 (@letouryorkshire) December 5, 2017

These are the four stages:

Stage 1: Beverley to Doncaster (182km)

Beverley Market Place, by Hedgehog Cycling

The first stage begins in Beverley Market Place, and does a 16km loop via Hornsea to come back through Beverley, before heading for the Yorkshire Wolds.

There are intermediate sprints at Pocklington and Howden, with the riders going through Holme-on-Spalding-Moor in between, then the stage is set for a sprint finish in Doncaster.

Stage 2: Barnsley to Ilkley (149km)

Cow & Calf pub, by Hedgehog Cycling

Stage 2 starts from Barnsley Town Hall. The peloton heads for Penistone, Worsborough, and Blacker Hill. There's an intermediate sprint at Swinton, the race passes Conisbrough Castle, then another sprint in Scholes. Then it's on to Harewood House, up Old Pool Bank, and through Otley and Ilkley, before a summit finish at the Cow & Calf on Ilkley Moor.

Stage 3: Richmond to Scarborough (184km)

South Bay, Scarborough, by Hedgehog Cycling

Stage 3 begins at Richmond's market place. The riders head to Catterick Garrison, and once the racing starts, they traverse Wensleydale, and continue towards Leyburn and Morton-on-Swale (the first intermediate sprint). Next on the route are Northallerton and Thirsk, then just in the North York Moors comes the climb of Sutton Bank. It's on to Helmsley, Pickering, Scarborough for the first time, Filey, then Scarborough again for the finish at North Bay.

Stage 4: Halifax to Leeds (189.5km)

Main Street, Haworth, by Hedgehog Cycling

This should be the decisive stage, with six categorised climbs. After starting at the Piece Hall, Halifax, the riders tackle the Côte de Hebden Bridge, then go up Main Street, Haworth, followed by Goose Eye. The route is then via Skipton to the climb of Barden Moor, then there's an intermediate sprint at Kilnsey Crag. It's on to the Côte de Park Rash, Masham, the Côte de Greenhow Hill, Otley, Otley Chevin, then the Côte de Black Hill Road. Stage 4 ends on the Headrow in Leeds.