BARNSLEY has a chance to repeat the spectacular scenes of last year's Tour de France when it takes centre stage as the Tour de Yorkshire passes right through the heart of the town.
The world will be watching when Barnsley appears on the final leg of the inaugural race on Sunday, May 3 - along with the million or more cycling enthusiasts expected to descend on the county's streets.
Top international teams and cycling stars are planning to take part in the flagship event and huge audiences are expected to tune in when the three stage race is broadcast live on national TV and throughout Europe.
Tour de Yorkshire will enter the borough on Wakefield Road, Staincross, going past New Lodge and Athersley, down into Smithies and up Old Mill Lane onto Eldon Street and into the town centre.
From there the peloton will turn onto Regent Street, right onto Church Street, up St Mary's Gate, onto Church Lane and race down Huddersfield Road.
It will cycle down Barugh Green Road onto Cawthorne Road and Lane Head Road, with Cannon Hall providing a backdrop before the race moves on to Holmfirth where it will pick up the last year's Grand Depart route in reverse.
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated January 23. **
