Black Sheep Brewery unveiled as official brewery of the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire

Black Sheep Brewery has been named as the Official Brewery of the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire.

The fourth and final stage of this year’s race on Sunday 6th May passes through Masham, which is the home to the Black Sheep Brewery and newly refurbished Visitor Centre.

To mark the announcement, the brewery will host a ‘Black Sheep Straight’ where fans can gather to watch the action in person.

The Straight will be located on Thorpe Road, Masham, and the first rider to pass that point will be rewarded with their height in crates of Black Sheep Ale..

Black Sheep is also offering one fan the opportunity to take part in the celebratory Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride ahead of the final stage of the Tour de Yorkshire (6th May).

The brewery will host a photo social media competition where one entrant will be chosen at random to take part in the ride, which is held on the same roads as the professional race.

Sir Gary Verity, Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive, said: “Black Sheep is an iconic Yorkshire brand and we are delighted to be working in partnership with them at the Tour de Yorkshire.

“I’m sure this prize will be of great interest to the riders and we can expect to see some hotly contested racing in Masham.”

Jo Theakston, Black Sheep sales and marketing director, added: “The Tour de Yorkshire has grown to become one of the UK’s premier sporting events, and we are delighted to support the race as its official brewery.

“Cycling has really come on in Yorkshire since the Grand Depart in 2014, and we’re looking forward to being part of another momentous occasion in the region.

“There will be plenty of hype in Masham as cycling’s biggest names pass through the town, with one lucky rider set to enjoy a true taste of Yorkshire as they pass through the Black Sheep Straight!”

The fourth edition of the Tour de Yorkshire will see the expandsion of the men’s race from three to four stages and the Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race doubling in size from one day to two.

Mark Cavendish is set to head the field during 3-6 May, with the full list of teams being announced at Welcome to Yorkshire’s Y18 event at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre on Wednesday 21st March.