Welshpool to host world cycling tour event

Welshpool has pulled off a massive sporting coup after being confirmed as a host town for this summer’s UCI Women’s WorldTour.

Over 100 of the world’s top riders will race through the heart of mid Wales from Wrexham to Welshpool on stage four (Thursday, June 9) of the Women’s Tour of Britain, before a day later facing a gruelling uphill finish at Black Mountain in Carmarthenshire.

Thanks to in principle support from the Welsh Government, who have twice before backed stages of the race in 2018 and 2019, both Wrexham and Welshpool will feature in the UK’s most prestigious women’s race for the first time.  

Stage four will start from the heart of Wrexham on Chester Street before skirting the English–Welsh border, passing through Ruabon and travelling alongside the Chirk Aqueduct and close to Chirk Castle, before entering Powys at Rhydycroesau.

The 148-kilometre (92-mile) route will take in an unforgettable, anti-clockwise loop of the Lake Vyrnwy reservoir near Llanwddyn as it winds its way towards the finish line in the heart of Welshpool on Broad Street.

Powys have once before hosted a stage finish of the Women’s Tour at Builth Wells in 2019, while the men’s Tour of Britain has visited the county on six occasions between 2010 and 2016.

Dr Caroline Turner, Chief Executive of Powys County Council said: “The return of the Women’s Tour of Britain is wonderful news for the county. The event provides Powys with a fantastic opportunity to showcase the county with a national and international television audience. The stage will provide a much-needed financial boost to the local economy and we hope that residents and visitors get out and support the race.”

Councillor Alison Davies, the Mayor of Welshpool, added: “This an exciting boost for the town. It will be a great opportunity for the people of Welshpool to welcome International and National athletes and many visitors to the town.

“It is exciting for us to be given the opportunity to be involved in this national event and a welcome boost for the Welshpool economy following two very difficult years.

“The organisers, competitors and followers of this event can be assured of a very warm welcome in Welshpool.”

A day later and riders will be faced with another stern Welsh test, this time in Carmarthenshire, which has become a regular feature on the routes of the men’s Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour since 2018.

The race will move on to Carmarthenshire the following day.

Mick Bennett, Women’s Tour race director, said: “The Welsh stages in this year’s Women’s Tour are going to play a key role in determining our next champion. Both will offer a true test for the world’s best riders, with the thrilling racing set to be played out in front of some of the most spectacular scenery the United Kingdom has to offer. We thank all our stakeholders, including the Welsh Government, for their continued support of the Women’s Tour.”

The Women’s Tour will feature all 14 of the top division UCI Women’s WorldTeams, with 18 teams and 108 riders competing in the race, marking the biggest field in the eight-year history of the race. 

This year’s Women’s Tour begins in Colchester (Monday, June 6) for a stage to Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk before a first visit to Gloucester (stage three, Wednesday, June 8), with a route through the Forest of Dean between Tewkesbury and Gloucestershire. The Women’s Tour will conclude in Oxfordshire on Saturday, June 11 with a stage between picturesque Chipping Norton, in the Cotswolds, and the heart of historic Oxford.

Highlights of this year’s race will once again be shown on ITV4 in the UK, and around the world via Eurosport and GCN.

While spectators can watch all the action by the roadside for free, race day hospitality packages offer guaranteed prime views of stage starts and finishes, complete with fine dining experiences. Visit sportsbreaks.com/Cycling for more information.