THE BRADFORD district is all geared up to welcome the Tour de Yorkshire this Sunday, with thousands of cheering spectators expected to line the route.

Signs have gone up and letters have also been sent to residents and businesses along the route to remind people about road closures and parking restrictions on day three and the final stage of the race as it passes through the district.

Banners, bunting and other decorations have also been popping up at various places along the route and will continue to appear in the coming days, to get people in the mood for the first-ever Tour de Yorkshire.

Residents and visitors are being reminded to secure their spot early to see the race as it comes through Oxenhope, Haworth, Silsden, Addingham, Ilkley and Menston.

And Bradford Council leader Dave Green is hoping the sun shines on the event to bring out bumper crowds who will ring the tills of local businesses.

"What we want is for the weather to hold, crowds to attend and benefit the district's businesses, making it a great success so it keeps coming back," he said.

The Pro-race route starts from outside Selby Abbey on the event's first day tomorrow.

On Sunday, the final day, they will pass through Bradford district as they tackle a 167km route from Wakefield to Roundhay Park in Leeds.

From Wakefield, the riders will travel south to Barnsley before Holmfirth, where they pick up the Grand Départ route in reverse, racing to Ripponden before riding the iconic Cragg Vale – which in the Tour de France was the country’s longest continual climb and now becomes the longest continual descent.

The riders will then make their way to Hebden Bridge before entering Oxenhope and through the famous cobbled streets of Haworth, one of the most iconic images of the Tour de France in Yorkshire.

After Oakworth and a steep climb at Goose Eye, the riders will rocket down to Sutton, Glusburn, Kildwick, Silsden, Addingham and then to Ilkley, with the famous climb up past the Cow & Calf rocks. From Menston they will drop down to Otley before a sprint point at Arthington and then on to the thrilling finish line in Leeds.

On Sunday morning there will also be three mass-participation Sportive rides with more than 5,000 riders setting off in a staggered start from 6.30am in Roundhay Park, Leeds. Two of those routes will go through the district visiting Menston, East Morton, Bingley, Harden, Cullingworth and Denholme before joining up with the pro race route.

The pro race is expected to reach the district in Oxenhope at around 2.55pm and leave the district via Menston at around 3.50pm.

Unlike the Tour de France, there will be no official spectator hubs in the district. However, spectators will be able to watch the race anywhere along the route, with some fantastic places for both the race and the Sportive.

For the pro race, some of the best places include Main Street, Haworth, Silsden, Addingham, Ilkley town centre and the Cow and Calf rocks - anyone wanting a prime spot and to have family fun at the same time as raising funds for a good cause should go along to Aberdeen Farm at Oxenhope, hosting a Back T’t Moor Family Fun Day event for the Annette Fox Leukaemia Fund. Gates open at 11.30am and attractions include music, bouncy castle, face painting, stalls and food.

People are being reminded that the impact on the roads is expected to be limited. In most cases the roads will be closed on a rolling road basis, expected to last no more than an hour.

The only exceptions will be the start and finish locations, some climbs, sprints and some locations required for the Sportive where the road closures will be longer.

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “These three days spanning May 1 to 3 are set to go down in history. It’s the first ever Tour de Yorkshire and the first time Sir Bradley Wiggins will have ridden for his own team.

"The eyes of the world will once more be on Yorkshire and we want everyone to have a fabulous, memorable time. So that means planning ahead, allowing plenty of time and making some memories.”

Sprints and climbs look set to be extremely popular for spectators who are being urged to check out the event's official website at letouryorkshire.com which has an interactive and zoomable map, race timings can also be found at letouryorkshire.com/timings and road closures, traffic and transport information details can also be seen at letouryorkshire.com/travel.

Phil Barker, Assistant Director for Sport and Leisure at Bradford Council, said: "A lot of work has gone in to planning for the race at the weekend. The Council has been liaising with the race organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and ASO as well as emergency services to plan for the event.

"There has also been a great deal of effort put in by local people along the route to celebrate the very first Tour de Yorkshire coming to their area. It promises to be a truly special occasion.”

The event is being organised by Welcome to Yorkshire and French media group Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), with support from British Cycling and local authorities.