THE climax of next year's international Tour de Yorkshire cycling race will feature England's steepest A-road, sprints through historic market towns and gruelling coastal climbs, it has been revealed.

Race organisers said they expected huge crowds to line the streets of Teesside and Yorkshire for the 415km three-stage race's second outing from April 29 to May 1, following 1.5m people turning out for this year's event.

The final day's cycling will set off from outside MIMA Gallery in Middlesbrough, with racing starting on the outskirts of Nunthorpe on the A172, before heading into Herriot country, passing through Great Ayton, Stokesley, Hutton Rudby and Northallerton before a sprint point at Thirsk Market Square.

The Northern Echo:

It is thought thousands of spectators will mass at the Sutton Bank, which was voted as Yorkshire's top view earlier this year, to watch the peloton snaking up the hairpin bends and 25 per cent gradient.

The route will then take the elite cyclists on a technical route through much of the North York Moors National Park, including King of the Mountain tests at Blakey Ridge, Grosmont, Robin Hood’s Bay, Harwood Dale and Oliver’s Mount.

Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Hutton le Hole, Castleton, Sleights and Ruswarp will also feature before a sprint point at Whitby Abbey and a sprint finish in Scarborough’s North Bay.

Traders in Ryedale, Hambleton and Scarborough districts said they were delighted the race, which is expected to be televised around the world, was visiting the area following this year's event boosting the region's profile and its economy by £50m.

Independent research showed spectators spent £20.5m on accommodation and £29.5m on items such as food and drink, souvenirs and transport.

Mayor of Thirsk, Councillor Derek Adamson, said the prospect of a sprint point in the town's Market Place, was an opportunity the residents and businesses would seize with open arms.

Organisers said the crowds would be entertained by Race Ambassadors and a Tour de Yorkshire Caravan before seeing the 18 teams of eight riders racing.

The 184km opening stage, from Beverley to Settle, will see the peloton pass the scene of Dick Turpin’s famous escape from York, race through Knaresborough, the scene of some of the biggest crowds for the Tour de France last year, and past balancing rock formations at Brimham Rocks.

The men's and women's races will face the same course on Stage Two, starting in Otley, home of the current women’s road World Champion Lizzie Armitstead and finishing in Doncaster.

Riders joined the civic leaders of host towns at a launch event in Otley, where Sir Gary Verity, of Welcome to Yorkshire and Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme unveiled the full route.

Sir Gary said the routes had been selected to showcase Yorkshire’s scenery.

He said: "The stages we’ve revealed today are eagerly anticipated by fans, riders and teams and we have all the ingredients for another spectacular race which will bring the crowds back out.”

Mr Prudhomme added feedback from teams and riders at this year's inaugural event had been excellent and that the stages had been designed to produce a race right to the end.

In addition to the professional races, the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride will give up to 6,000 amateur cyclists the chance to ride many of the roads ridden by the professionals in a new sportive route.