May 2018

WARWICKSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS

Women's Tour cycling event will boost county economy

The leading female professional road race in the UK cycling calendar will return to Warwickshire next month for a record-breaking third successive year.

The world’s top female racers will compete in the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, the third stage of which Warwickshire will host on Friday June 15.

The event offers cycling fans the chance to watch the thrilling road race again and will also bring a significant boost to the county's economy and profile.

Last year's Warwickshire stage was a huge success throughout the whole county, with an estimated 95,000 spectators lining the streets. It is estimated that more than £2million was generated during the Warwickshire stage in 2017 while a total of 312,000 people watched the Stage on ITV4. Coverage was broadcast in more than 100 countries.

Starting in Market Square, Atherstone, the 151-kilometre route will weave its way through the county before ending in Royal Leamington Spa - making the Warwickshire stage the longest of the 2018 event.

Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, is thrilled that the event is returning to the county.

“I am extremely pleased that Warwickshire will be hosting a stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour once again,” she said.

“This is the third year that the county has been involved in this fantastic event and it has proven to be of huge economic benefit and puts Warwickshire on the worldwide map.

“What makes our stage special is the fact that because of our how our route is mapped out, spectators can watch the race from multiple spots during the day.

“The organisers were really pleased with the response from the people of the county, and so many businesses and schools came out to watch that it made for a great atmosphere

“We cannot wait to see the event hosted in Warwickshire and I would urge fans of the event and cycle enthusiasts to come out and support it.”

Mick Bennett, Race Director of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, said: “It’s rare for any bike race to repeat a stage from a previous event in full, but the response from riders, teams and spectators to our visit to Warwickshire in 2017 made it an easy decision to return there for stage three of this year’s OVO Energy Women’s Tour.”

Chloe Hosking, the Australian who rides for the Alé Cipollini team and won last year's Warwickshire stage, said: "The OVO Energy Women's Tour is a highlight on the women's cycling calendar for riders, staff and fans alike and winning my stage in Warwickshire last year was a highlight of my season.

"It's so phenomenal how the public responds to the event and it's really special to race in an environment like that. I think it fuels really exciting, aggressive, entertaining racing. I really do think that the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd is contagious - you can't help but want to really race your bike.

"I'm looking forward to more deafening laps around the UK's countryside."

The Warwickshire stage will begin at 10am on June 15 with 17 teams and 102 competitors expected to start arriving at the finishing line in Leamington at around 2pm.

Racers will set off in Atherstone, taking in the North Warwickshire countryside and head for Meriden. They will then head to the University of Warwick before passing Kenilworth and Warwick Castles.

Competitors will also have to take on two Queen of the Mountain climbs again – an ascent of more than 1,700 metres. The first of those will be at Edge Hill, just on the outskirts of Arlescote while the second comes in Burton Dassett Country Park.

The route also heads through Moreton Morrell, Wellesbourne, Kineton, Tysoe and Shipston-on-Stour, Fenny Compton and Southam, before finishing in the centre of Royal Leamington Spa.

For further information about the Warwickshire Stage of the Women’s Tour, including a detailed map of the route, please visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/womens-tour.

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