THE host towns and cities for the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire have been announced by officials today, and include two venues in North Yorkshire.

Cycling governing body the UCI confirmed this month the Tour - which has been extended to four days for the first time - will be included on their 2018 Europe Tour calendar between Thursday, May 3 and Sunday, May 6.

Organisers Welcome To Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) have revealed the eight host towns for the 2018.

Tour will be: Scarborough

Beverley

Richmond

Barnsley

Halifax

Ilkley

Doncaster

Leeds

The 2017 event in April saw a record 2.2 million spectators line the route and generated £64 million for the Yorkshire economy.

Races were also beamed live in 180 countries and saw 9.7 million viewers from around the world tune in to watch on Eurosport and ITV alone.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "The Tour de Yorkshire is a true success story and in just three years it has grown to become one of the best attended and most dramatic races on the cycling calendar.

"Of course, with the men’s race being extended to four days and the women’s race now being held over two, it means we can visit more parts of the county and I know our eight start and finish locations will put on a real show."

Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France at the A.S.O, said: "The Tour de Yorkshire has gone from strength to strength over the last three years and we are delighted to be working in partnership with such a great team at Welcome to Yorkshire.

"The way people get behind the race in Yorkshire is incredible and we are looking forward to another fantastic edition in 2018."

The Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire will also double in size next year, increasing from one to two days on Thursday May 3 and Friday, May 4.

The full 2018 race route will be unveiled on Tuesday, December 5, and will include exact start and finish locations and the distance and profile of each stage.