SCOTT Thwaites can’t wait to experience riding at the Tour de Yorkshire for the first time next year.

The Burley-in-Wharfedale cyclist, who has recently joined Mark Cavendish’s Dimension Data team, has yet to compete in the hugely popular race.

But the 26-year-old is looking forward to tasting the special atmosphere of the event, especially as the 2017 route will run right down the main street of his home village.

“It is something I have wanted to ride in for a number of years but it has not fitted in with my team’s schedule,” said Thwaites, who also narrowly missed out on a place with Team Net-App-Endura in the Tour de France in 2014, when the Grand Depart route was again on his doorstep.

“It will be great to race in and experience the crowds.

“There will be a lot of support for myself and other local riders which makes it extra special – we spend a lot of time away during the year so it’s always nice to come home and have a race on home roads.

“It makes it feel special to be a professional cyclist.”

Thwaites was speaking at the Impressions Gallery in Bradford City Park where details of the three stage routes were revealed yesterday.

The event starts on Friday, April 28 with stage one from Bridlington to Scarborough and is followed by stage two from Tadcaster to Harrogate.

But it is the third and final stage, nicknamed the Yorkshire Terrier, which will capture most interest in the local district.

Rolling out of Bradford’s City Park, the 194.5km stage was described as the toughest yet in the Tour de Yorkshire with over 3,500 metres of climb.

Racing starts just outside of Baildon before heading up to Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley, Addingham and out into the Yorkshire Dales.

It then takes in Skipton, Silsden, Riddlesden, Keighley and the cobbles in Haworth before heading to Queensbury and then the steepest climb of the race – the Cote de Shibden Wall. Short but extremely sharp, the climb averages 13.5 per cent but hits gradients of up to 25 per cent, with the cobbled climb only adding to the pain.

Halifax, Brighouse and Cleckheaton are also en route before the course heads into the Holme Valley on its way to finishing at Fox Valley in Sheffield.

Thwaites said: “It is a brilliant route showcasing the best of Yorkshire roads.

“There is something for everyone. There is one sprinters’ stage perhaps and the final stage is an out and out strong man’s stage.

“It will definitely be an open race and hard to pick a winner, which will make it even more appealing.

“The highlight for me will be just being there at a local race with local fans.”

Tom Moses, from Oakworth near Keighley, is looking forward to competing in the event for the third time. The JLT Condor rider said: “It is a great route – no matter where you are in Yorkshire it should be a good route and people will come out and support the event.

“I’m pretty happy to see the event coming through Keighley and up through Haworth. I think the last stage is the hardest. I don’t know some of the climbs in the last circuit but it sounds pretty tough.

“It’s the best race of the year – not just for riders from Yorkshire but also those from outside because the crowds are so good.”

The Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire will take place on Saturday, April 29 and will precede the men’s race on the same second stage course.