THE WORLD’S top women cyclists will be racing through Warwickshire again this summer.
Stage three of the Women’s Tour will see the riders race 150km from Atherstone to Leamington on Friday June 9. The route includes sprints through Kenilworth and Wellesbourne and as well two Queen of the Mountain climbs at Edge Hill and Burton Dassett.
The return of the tour is being celebrated by shining a spotlight on women’s contribution to sport – with the hashtag #ThisGirlCan – with stars from Wasps Women’s Netball Team and local hockey, netball, athletics, rugby, gaelic football, boxing and golf clubs at the tour launch at Warwick University.
Some 75,000 spectators lined the route of the Warwickshire leg last year, and council chiefs are also hoping for an even greater turnout this summer, and another welcome economic boost for the county. Last year’s leg was estimated to have generated over £3million.
Warwickshire County Council leader Izzi Seccombe said: “Having already seen what a tremendous event the Women’s Tour is, I am thrilled to see it coming back to the county.
“It creates a buzz that is felt for some time after the event and local businesses reported an increase in trade that lasted for weeks after last year’s event.”
And tour director, Mick Bennett added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be returning to Warwickshire again in 2017.
“The stunning countryside in the county is perfect for lots of exciting racing and we’re sure the world’s best riders will put on quite a show for all the thousands of spectators that come out to support.”
The tour will travel around England in five stages from June 7 to 11 covering over 600km.
