CYCLING fans have hailed the 'fabulous' news that part of next year's Tour de Yorkshire will either start or finish in Otley.

The town was named as one of the 2016 event's host towns by organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) on Friday, October 9.

The racing will begin or end next year in Beverley, Doncaster, Middlesbrough, Otley, Scarborough and Settle.

The three day men’s race will run from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1 while the women’s race will be held on Saturday, April 30.

Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Sir Gary Verity, said: "From the first moments of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, everyone who was there knew it was something special.

"I’m delighted we are able to bring the 2016 race to all four corners of Yorkshire.

"It is testament to how much the county has taken the race to its heart that we have been oversubscribed for next year’s starts and finishes.

"The Tour de Yorkshire is an event in the cycling calendar that riders want to race in, and we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best riders back to Yorkshire next year."

Otley was chosen as a race host location from 14 towns that had expressed an interest.

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) hailed the news. He said: "This is fabulous!

"We have a rich cycling pedigree in Otley and I am so pleased we have been chosen to showcase the best we have to offer to viewers worldwide.

"Coming hot on the heels of Lizzie Armitstead’s victory in the World Championship road race last month, this will further enhance Otley’s standing in the cycling world, making our town a top destination for bicycle tourists from across the globe.

"I’ll be looking forward to the great time that we will no doubt all have on the day next year."

MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) added: "It’s fantastic news that the Tour de Yorkshire will start or end in Otley next year.

"Last year’s Tour de France was a great success and going through the town centre meant it drew huge crowds.

"There was disappointment at the decision for the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire to miss Otley town centre, meaning it did not have anything like the positive impact it could have.

"I am delighted we will have a stage of this fantastic international sporting linked to Otley, so we can all look forward to another great day.

"This news is another feather in the cap for Otley being a famous cycling town.

"I look forward to supporting the organisers and Otley Town Council as they start preparing to welcome the Tour de Yorkshire to our streets."

This year's race, held in May, was watched by some 1.5 million spectators at the roadside, with another six million following it on TV.

Director of the Tour de France at the ASO, Christian Prudhomme, said: "Yorkshire is so perfectly suited to international racing and the landscapes create wonderful chances for riders to shine.

"Many of the teams and riders said that the Tour de Yorkshire reminds them of the Tour de France’s Grand Départ, with the routes, crowds and atmosphere once again combining to create a very special race”.

Details of the full route are due to be announced in December.