OTLEY and nearby villages are preparing to be gripped once more by cycling euphoria.

The town was last week named, to much fanfare, as the starting point for Stage 2 of the Men's race in the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire - and the starting point for the Women's race as a whole.

The announcement, made by Welcome to Yorkshire's Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity in front of VIPs at Otley Courthouse, was hailed by politicians, residents and cyclists across Wharfedale.

It means Otley will be the focus of massive media attention once the race, which runs from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1, 2016, gets underway.

Eighteen teams of eight riders will be competing and on Saturday, April 30, they will all be in Otley to set off and begin the second stage.

That 135.5km route will also include Pool-in-Wharfedale - where the section's Official Start takes place - Arthington, and Harewood, where Harewood Bank will present an early King of the Mountain challenge.

Spectators lined the roadsides at Pool and Arthington for this year's,inaugural Tour de Yorkshire - and Pool Parish Council Chairman Councillor Hazel Lee expects even busier scenes next year.

She said: "I am delighted the race is coming through Pool again.

"It will be a lovely day."

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) said: "I am delighted that once again the people of Pool and Arthington will be hosting part of the Tour - and it is great to see the start taking place in Otley, which means people will be able to enjoy the scenery and facilities in the area.

"It is also an opportunity for the villages to welcome cyclists from around the world for the third year running.

"They put on a fantastic effort for the Tour de France and it is great that the area is to be showcased once again.

"I know that Richard Parker, who was the main driving force in Pool when the Tour de France came through, is already working up some great ideas."

His wife, Councillor Caroline Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale), added: “Pool already has the benefit of the beautiful banners they made for the Tour de France and this will enable the community and young people, in particular, to come up with more innovative ideas this time."

Last week's announcement wasn't just for the VIPs - it was also for the community, with pupils from Ashfield Primary School joining the proceedings.

And a group of Media students from Prince Henry's Grammar School got a chance to pitch questions to two of the top cyclists who will be competing next year, Tom Moses and Russ Downing.