THE ROUTES for the 'sportive' version of this year's Tour de Yorkshire have been revealed.

Arthington, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley, Blubberhouses, Leathley and North Rigton are all included in the 2018 Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride.

Taking place on Sunday, May 6, the race gives thousands of amateur cyclists the chance to ride on the same day and roads as the fourth, final stage of the pro event.

Organised by the Tour de France owners (ASO) along with Human Race and Welcome to Yorkshire, the Maserati will start at Woodhouse Moor, Leeds and finish back on The Headrow.

Entries opened this week and the organisers are offering three options: a short, 49km route; an 84km medium run and a 129km, long ride with 2059 metres of climbing.

All three routes will pass through Arthington, Pool and North Rigton, with the short one also including Leathley and Stainburn and the medium and long options taking in Otley, the Washburn Valley and Blubberhouses.

New this year, arranged in partnership with Strava, will be segment challenges on closed road sections at Greenhow Hill and Black Hill Lane, with King of the Mountain, Queen of the Mountain and Sprint Jerseys up for grabs.

Riders, who will be supported with feed stations along the route and mechanical help, can also compare their times against the pros who will ride on the same stretch of road later in the day.

CEO of organisers Human Race, Nick Rusling, said: "We say it every year but the route this year is exceptionally tough - Yorkshire never fails.

"Cyclists will be tackling the same brutal climbs as the pros, and it’ll be made worthwhile when they cross the same finish line with the same roaring crowds.

"There’s no other UK sportive quite like it.”

Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Sir Gary Verity, added: "What’s so fantastic about the event being in Leeds is that it makes it accessible for people to travel from across the UK and overseas to take part.

"The reason this event is so iconic is the pride and passion that the people of Yorkshire show whenever the eyes of the UK and the world are on our county."

There are still places available with the Maserati's official charity partners which include Maggie’s, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Prostate Cancer UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research UK.

For more details visit letouryorkshire.com/ride .