Tour de Yorkshire: When is it, where can I watch it and who is competing?

Bradley Wiggins involved in three day event

A view of the Tour de Yorkshire in 2015 (Getty)

The Tour de Yorkshire begins today, with Sir Bradley Wiggins among those competing in the three day event. There is also a one-day women's race.

When is it?

The men's tour begins today, lasting a total of three days. The women's race, a one-day event, is tomorrow.

There is a ceremonial start in Beverley from 11.50am with the official start at 12pm. The riders are expected to complete the first stage at around 4.30pm. Stage two of the race will begin in Otley at 2.30pm and the final stage from Middlesbrough at 11.35am.

The women's race on Saturday starts at 8.30am.

Who is competing?

Sir Bradley Wiggins is the stand-out name of the event, with the four-time Olympic gold medallist celebrating his birthday during the Tour after turning 36 yesterday. Other notable riders include British champion Peter Kennaugh and last year’s winner, Lars Petter Nordhaug, both of Team Sky.

World champion Lizzie Armitstead will wear her rainbow jersey as she competes with the rest of the peloton for a record prize fund which totals £50,000 - more than on offer in the men's race.

Sir Bradley Wiggins (PA)

Where does it go?

The riders will tackle a 187km route from Beverley to Settle on Friday. On day two of the tour it's a 136.5km route from Otley to Doncaster. With relatively flat finishes to the opening two days, Sunday will be a monster day of climbing on the road from Middlesbrough to Scarborough on a 198km route.

This year the Tour is looking to make its mark in women's cycling, and on Saturday the one-day women's race will follow the same route from Otley to Doncaster which will form stage two of the men's race later in the day.

Full details of the routes can be found on the official website. http://letour.yorkshire.com/2016.

Where can I watch it?

Live coverage of the all the races can be seen on ITV4.

Can I attend?

Last year an estimated 1.5million people lined the roads to watch the inaugural edition of the race - a legacy of the 2014 Grand Depart of the Tour de France - a number which quickly saw the race establish itself on the world calendar.

Anyone wishing to watch the race need simply find a place on the route and await the riders to come past. The expected times that the peleton will pass through specific towns and villages can be found here: http://letour.yorkshire.com/timings