CYCLING fans are likely to line Craven roads in their thousands expecting a real ‘tour de force’ as some of the world’s top professional racers speed through the area during the fourth Tour de Yorkshire.

Riders on the last stage of the race, from Halifax to Leeds on Sunday, May 6, will pass through Sutton-in-Craven, Skipton, Embsay, Eastby, Burnsall, Threshfield, Kilnsey and Kettlewell before heading towards Richmondshire.

The cyclists, including sprint star Mark Cavendish, Yorkshire’s Ben Swift and Tom Pidcock, and last year’s Paris-Roubaix winner and Olympic road race champion Greg van Avermaet, are scheduled to be in Craven roughly between 1pm and 2.10pm on stage four, of just under 118 miles.

Residents and visitors have been advised by organisers that there will be a number of rolling road closures and some delays on the roads should be expected. Closures will be in place along the whole route for approximately half an hour before the race travels through, to approximately half an hour afterwards.

Parking on Skipton High Street will be suspended from 10am on Sunday until the race goes through, and parking restrictions will also be in place across the length of the race route. The race’s promotional ‘caravan’ will pass along the route before the race, and will stop at a number of places to hand out items to fans, approximately at just after 11am in Cross Hills and at 11.30am in Skipton High Street. Sharon Hudson, communications manager at Craven District Council, said: “We expect large crowds of people will want to come and watch this thrilling race.

“We know many people will be in Skipton for the Waterway Festival too and we would advise visitors and residents to be aware of the road closures and parking restrictions.

“We would encourage spectators to walk or cycle instead of driving to locations on the route, and to behave responsibly so that everyone can enjoy themselves safely.”

After the race has gone through Skipton High Street, at around 2pm, there will be a screening of the film ‘The Flying Scotsman’ at Skipton Town Hall, telling the true story of record-breaking Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree. Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for under-18s. The race starts on Thursday, with stage one from Beverley to Doncaster, stage two, on Friday, from Barnsley to Ilkley, and stage three on Saturday, May 5, from Richmond to Scarborough. The women’s Tour will be contested over the first two stages, also on Thursday and Friday.