Sylvain Chavanel and Bryan Coquard confirmed to Tour de Yorkshire start

With one week to go until the start of the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire, organisers Welcome to Yorkshire and the ASO have unveiled more star names who are set to compete between 3-6 May

Rio 2016 track gold medallist Owain Doull is set to be named in the Team Sky line up which includes British compatriot and two-time Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winner Ian Stannard.

Three-time Tour de France stage winner Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Énergie) is also set to compete, as is French sprint star Bryan Coquard (Vital Concept), two-time Vuelta a Espana stage victor Magnus Cort Nielsen (Astana), and 2017 Tour de Yorkshire King of the Mountain Pieter Weening (Rompot-Nederlandse Loterij).

There are no-less than 11 Yorkshire-based riders on the provisional start list, equalling the figure from 2017 despite UCI regulations seeing team sizes reduced from eight to seven riders to entice more exciting racing. These include Great Britain Cycling Team duo Ben Swift and Tom Pidcock who were announced on Wednesday. Ben’s cousin Connor will represent Madison Genesis while former British champions Adam Blythe (Aqua Blue Sport) and Russell Downing (Holdsworth Racing) will also be in action.

These latest additions follow the big news earlier this month that Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data), Olympic road champion Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) and defending Tour de Yorkshire champion Serge Pauwels (Team Dimension Data) will all be present for the fourth edition.

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity is thrilled to have attracted such a strong field and is looking forward immensely to four exciting days of action.

He said: “It’s always exciting to receive the provisional start list and once again we’ve been able to attract a stellar cast of riders.

“I can’t wait to see them compete over the four stages, and the route we’ve laid on this year will certainly test them and deliver spectacular action.

“The word has definitely got around the peloton about the massive crowds and unbelievable reception they will receive in Yorkshire, and I’m sure people will come out in force again next week to give them another hero’s welcome.”

ASO’s Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme said: “These high-profile riders want to visit Yorkshire because of the amazing greeting they receive. They also know the county provides amazing routes and scenery, and this year’s route looks fantastic, with something for every type of rider.

“I am looking forward to visiting Yorkshire once again and am sure the 2018 edition will be the biggest and best one yet.”

Full details on the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire and Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race can be found at http://letouryorkshire.com

Welcome to Yorkshire has also launched its Tour de Yorkshire Land Art and Best Dressed Competitions. Full details on how to enter those can be found at http://letouryorkshire.com/landart  and http://letouryorkshire.com/bestdressed respectively.