The organisers had applied to British Cycling to increase the race to four days for 2016 but this application was rejected.

[1] 18 teams were selected to take part in Tour de Yorkshire.

The rider with the lowest cumulative time after taking bonus seconds into account was the leader of the classification and was awarded a blue and yellow jersey.

The rider with the most accumulated points was the leader of the classification and was awarded a dark pink jersey.

This was a combativity prize and was to be awarded to the rider who "made the greatest effort and [...] demonstrated the best qualities in terms of sportsmanship".