Skipton will be a host location for the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire, it has been announced.

The eight host locations for 2020 Tour de Yorkshire were unveiled by organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation at a press conference in Leeds.

The stages for the sixth edition – which will take place next year between Thursday 30 April and Sunday 3 May – will either start or finish in Barnsley, Beverley, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, Leyburn, Redcar and Skipton.

This will be the first time Skipton has hosted a stage start or finish, although three previous races have passed through the town, along with the Tour de France and the 2019 UCI Road World Championships.

Paul Shevlin, chief executive of Craven District Council, said: “We’re delighted that Skipton has been chosen as a host town for one of the Tour de Yorkshire stages in 2020.

“When Settle hosted a stage finish in 2016 it was a fantastic occasion for the town and the whole community got involved. Skipton always gives a fantastic welcome when the race passes though the town so I’m sure Skipton will do us proud next year and help us to welcome this world-class event in style.”

Peter Dodd, Commercial Director of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “It’s always exciting to unveil the host locations for the Tour de Yorkshire and this year is no exception. We’re delighted Huddersfield, Leyburn, Redcar and Skipton will each be making their debuts as we’re always striving to bring our race to new parts of this great county.

“The other locations have already proven themselves as more-than-worthy recipients and we cannot wait to revisit them as well.”

Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France at the A.S.O, said: “The Tour de Yorkshire is a true success story and it is now one of the best attended and most dramatic races on the cycling calendar.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with such a great team at Welcome to Yorkshire and I know our eight start and finish locations will put on a real show in 2020.”

The 2020 Tour de Yorkshire will form part of the inaugural UCI ProSeries, and its new 2.Pro classification remains the highest-possible status for a multi-day race outside of the UCI WorldTour.

The full routes for the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire and Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race will be unveiled at a second press conference on Friday 17 January along with an announcement regarding the Tour de Yorkshire Ride sportive.