Celebrate the twists, turns and thrills of UCI Road World Championships in September. Ready to wave a flag?
Cycling is Yorkshire's newest sporting best friend. Our backdrop to thrilling races has made the county a stage for the world to watch.
September will see the UCI World Championships arrive - the first time the cycling championships have come to Yorkshire and the fourth time Great Britain has hosted them - the last time was in 1982 in Goodwood.
Yes, this is big-league stuff. Charged with organising it all is Andy Hindley.
'The Tour de Yorkshire is an annual event', says Hindley. 'The UCI Road World Championships doesn't even come around every decade. It is a one-off. So embrace it for what it is, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to host the Road World Championships in Yorkshire,' he says. A staggering 1,400 athletes from 80 nations will take part in the racing spectacular over nine days. There will be a UCI first: a para-cycling event running alongside the Championships which will act as a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Look out for the rainbow jersey. The winner of each Individual Time Trial and Road Race event is awarded the rainbow jersey - one of the most iconic prizes in the sport. 'When you see the world champion's jersey in the peloton, you get out of the way', say the riders.
What to see: where and when
BEVERLEY
Saturday, September 21
Groundbreaking para-cycling road races. Riders will start from four different locations along the same route and all finish in Harrogate. The races will comprise four groups of disabled riders (blind and visually impaired, people with cerebral palsy, locomotor disabilities and handcyclists) and a total of 13 classifications for men and women.Those riders racing the longest distance will start in Beverley and the shorter courses will begin along one continuous route in Tadcaster, Wetherby and Harrogate.
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HARROGATE
Sunday, September 22
Team Time Trial Mixed Relay. This new event sees the world's best male and female time triallists come together to battle it out for a truly historic victory.
Monday, September 23
Women Junior Individual Time Trial. Men Junior Individual Time Trial. The tough and technical Harrogate circuit will test the juniors as they look to claim the first rainbow jerseys of 2019.
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RIPON
Tuesday, September 24.
Women Elite Individual Time Trial. Men U23 Individual Time Trial. The routes are identical and perfectly suited to time triallists who can manage their efforts over a fast and open course.
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NORTHALLERTON
Wednesday, September 25
Men Elite Individual Time Trial. The biggest prize in elite men's time trialling awaits the rider who powers around this picturesque course in the fastest time.
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RICHMOND
Thursday, September 26
Men Junior Road Race. Junior riders from around the world will descend on Richmond for their right to win the coveted rainbow jersey.
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DONCASTER
Friday, September 27
Women Junior Road Race Men U23 Road Race. Both races start and finish in the same location but the routes along the way are varied and provide their own challenges.
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BRADFORD
Saturday, September 28
Women Elite Road Race. This route has something for everyone and is sure to provide enthralling racing.
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LEEDS
Sunday, September 29
Men Elite Road Race. The Championships will be sure to go out in style on this testing course. Only the strongest will survive for a chance to claim those iconic rainbow bands.
