Where to watch the elite men's road race, UCI 2019 Yorkshire Worlds
Harry the
World Champion bear on Buttertubs
The elite men's
road race at the UCI 2019 Yorkshire Worlds takes place on Sunday
29th September 2019. The route from Leeds through the Dales to Harrogate
is 180km; then there are seven laps of the Harrogate circuit (another
100km). That means plenty of opportunities to see the race.
My suggestions include Leeds, Otley, the climbs in the Yorkshire Dales
(Cray, Buttertubs, and Grinton Moor), Ripon, and Harrogate. Of course,
there are loads of other good places to catch the action.
Where to watch the elite men's road race: Leeds
Leeds Civic Hall
Like Stage 1 of the Tour de France 2014, the elite men's road race
starts in Leeds, at Millenium Square.
There should be an opportunity to see the riders signing on and
getting ready for the race.
After they set off down the Headrow, there's a considerable
neutralised section, where they are rolling out of the city at a
reduced pace. This includes going past Woodhouse Square, up Clarendon
Road, and joining the A660 Woodhouse Lane/Headingley Lane, which takes
the peloton through Headingley and on to Cookridge.
The whole of the roll-out route in Leeds should be packed, with a
festival atmosphere.
Where to watch the elite men's road race: Otley
Tom Pidcock looks back at Otley cycle races 2018
After going over the Chevin, the riders descend to Otley.
It's a cycling town through and through. The Otley cycle races in
July always attract a strong field, and are well supported by
spectators. Otley is of course Lizzie Deignan's home town.
I'd expect big crowds in Otley.
The same is true of its neighbour, and the next town on the route,
Ilkley. Ilkley Cycling Club has the biggest membership of any in the
country.
Where to watch the elite men's road race: Cray (Kidstones Pass)
Kidstones Pass
After Skipton, the race heads into the Yorkshire Dales, up Wharfedale
to Kettlewell and Buckden.
At Buckden, the Cray climb begins. (Cray is the hamlet part-way up;
the top of the climb is Kidstones Pass, with Bishopdale on the other
side).
Of course, the competitors always go more slowly when it's uphill, so
the climbs are often the best places to watch. If it's anything like
the Tour de France, there'll be a festival atmosphere before the pack
arrives.
Where to watch the elite men's road race: Buttertubs
World Champion bear on
Buttertubs
The descent of Bishopdale leads to Aysgarth, then the race makes its
way up Wensleydale to Hawes.
Now the climb of Buttertubs begins, and it's sure to be a popular
place to watch the race - other than Harrogate, perhaps the most
popular. There's plenty of space on the slopes, though.
I'd guess that watching the elite men's road race on Buttertubs will
be a memorable experience.
Where to watch the elite men's road race: Grinton Moor
Grinton Moor
Grinton Moor was another wildly popular spot to watch the 2014 Tour
de France, and it should be again at the 2019 World Championships.
Our weird, climate change-affected weather produced torrential rain
in summer 2019, which washed away the bridge
over Cogden Gill. It does though seem that a new temporary road
and bridge will be put in place for local journeys, and to allow the
bike race to keep to its planned route.
Where to watch the elite men's road race: Ripon
Ripon Market Place
As the race heads off Grinton Moor, it goes through Leyburn,
Middleham, Masham, West Tanfield, and North Stainley, before reaching
the Cathedral City of Ripon.
Ripon is intent on making the most of these World Championships, and
it should be a wonderful week there.
I'd guess that there'll be a big screen at Ripon Market Place, and
big crowds lining the route.
Where to watch the elite men's road race: Harrogate
Parliament St, on the
UCI 2019 Harrogate circuit
The advantage of watching in Harrogate is that there are seven laps
of the Harrogate circuit, so
seven chances to see the riders. By this stage of the race, it should
also be clearer who is still in with a chance of becoming World
Champion.
There's to be a fan park on West Park Stray, with big screens showing
the race.
This is the end of the World Championships, so make the most of it!
