LEAMINGTON is set to host the final stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women’s cycle race.
The elite race, which attracts top cyclists from around the world, starts and finishes in the town on Sunday August 23.
It follows the huge success of last year’s Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, when Warwickshire hosted a spectacular stage finish at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park. The event attracted thousands of spectators across the county.
The route will start and finish in Leamington, taking in a scenic loop through towns such as Kenilworth, Wellesbourne, Shipston and Southam, as well as tackling the Burton Dassett Hills Country Park climb, before returning to Leamington for the final finish. The stage will offer multiple opportunities for spectators to catch the race along the route as it passes through villages and surrounding countryside, with the closing kilometres set to deliver a fitting finale in the heart of the town.
The event builds on Warwickshire’s strong history of hosting top-level cycling, including previous editions of the Women’s Tour and the Commonwealth Games road races in 2022, which attracted thousands of spectators and delivered significant economic and community benefits.
Warwickshire children will also have the chance to be involved once again, with Warwickshire County Council launching a competition for under-11s to design the flag that will start the race, and the trophy that will be presented to the stage winner at the end.
WCC’s culture spokesperson Coun Darren Cheshire said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Warwickshire to once again showcase itself on the international cycling stage. It’s on a Sunday in the middle of the school holidays, so we really hope that everyone will make the most of what will be a brilliant family-friendly day out, cheering on the riders as they go past. We’re really looking forward to welcoming the riders, teams and spectators for what promises to be a great day of sport.”
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cycletour for more details.
