As Manchester was recently named European Capital of Cycling, it’s fitting that Warrington and Greater Manchester are set to host stages three and four, respectively, of the inaugural 2024 Tour of Britain Women this weekend. Taking place from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June 2024, the race will see the world’s top female riders and teams go head-to-head across four tough stages of racing, in what will be the first major international stage race delivered by British Cycling Events.
It is expected that hundreds of thousands of fans will line the streets to support the race, as the country gears up for another thrilling summer of cycling. This year’s race will feature a number of familiar start and finish locations which have successfully hosted major international events in recent years.
The race began in Welshpool, situated in the heart of mid-Wales. Stage two will see riders stay in Wales for a start and finish in Wrexham, which also featured in the 2022 Women’s Tour. The rolling route will take in a series of challenging climbs in the dramatic Clwydian Range and Dee Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales.
The caravan then will cross the Welsh border to the north-west of England, where Warrington will host both the start and finish of stage three on Saturday, with a flatter route that will favour the sprinters. Warrington welcomed the men’s Tour of Britain in 2021, where Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) claimed a memorable stage win.
The race will conclude in Greater Manchester, as part of the city region’s European Capital of Cycling celebrations. Riders will depart from the National Cycling Centre, the home of British Cycling, before taking in some of the region’s challenging climbs before they reach the finish line in Leigh, where the race winner will be crowned.
Jon Dutton OBE, CEO of British Cycling, said: “While there is still a great deal of work to do, today is another important milestone in our journey and reflective of the enormous goodwill and support which major road cycling events continue to enjoy.
“Our primary focus has been to deliver a safe and competitive race in 2024, but we remain every bit as determined to harness the race’s spotlight to make a real impact in the communities which it touches, and know that is a vision which resonates strongly in conversations with prospective commercial partners and hosts.”
Lizzie Deignan, former road world champion and Olympic silver medallist, added: “It’s always special to race in Britain, and I’m so pleased to have two top level stage races to look forward to on home soil as I ramp up my preparations for a busy summer ahead.
“There’s clearly so much support and fondness for the race, both at home and further afield. The four stage hosts deserve credit for their commitment to women’s racing and for helping to make the race happen, and I’m sure that together we can put on a brilliant show in June.”
Earlier this year, British Cycling announced that the Tour of Britain Men would be delivered over six days in 2024, with an ambition to bring future parity to the two national tours, following the alignment of the event names in 2024. Positive conversations continue with a number of commercial partners along with towns and cities interested in hosting future stages of both the men’s and women’s events.
Professor Steven Broomhead MBE, Warrington Borough Council Chief Executive, said: “Following the success of the men’s Tour of Britain stage finish in 2011, it’s great news that Warrington will host the pinnacle of the sport again, this time with both a start and finish for the Tour of Britain Women.
“We’re pleased to be playing our part in celebrating some of the world’s greatest cyclists, bringing elite sport back to Warrington once again. It will be a fantastic showcase that will equally generate societal, health and wellbeing benefits.”
The Tour of Britain Women 2024 stages are as follows:
Stage 1 – Thursday 6 June 2024: Welshpool to Llandudno
Stage 2 – Friday 7 June 2024: Wrexham
Stage 3 – Saturday 8 June 2024: Warrington
Stage 4 – Sunday 9 June 2024: Greater Manchester