Routes revealed for opening stages of the 2024 Tour of Britain Women
The 2024 Tour of Britain Women will feature two challenging stages showcasing Wales' scenic routes, with opportunities for climbers and sprinters alike.
Race Director Rod Ellingworth declared himself “absolutely certain” that the opening two stages of the Tour of Britain Women will “show off the very best of Britain’s roads and scenery” as the routes around North Wales and Cheshire were revealed on Friday morning.
The four day race, returning as the Tour of Britain Women, after the cancellation of the Women’s Tour last year, is set to start with a bang on June 6, only 34 days away, with two action packed and challenging stages planned.
Stage 1 | Welshpool to Llandudno | Thu 6 June
The race will kick off in Welshpool near the English border, taking in a 142.5km route to the seaside town of Llandudno, scene of a memorable stage win for Wout van Aert in the men’s race in 2021.
Taking in 2,276 metres of climbing the race promises to be anything but a procession onto the promenade. The difficult ascent of Llangynog, a long (by British standards) 6km climb at an average gradient of 5.4%, coming after only 65km offers the climbers a chance to showcase their skills and swing the race in their favour.
Riders will pass through well-known market towns such as Llanfyllin and Bala, alongside the Llyn Tegid, and through the village of Cerrigydrudion.
A series of small but punchy climbs in the last 10km promises an attacking finale, the battle between the sprinters and puncheurs a fascinating one to call. The race passes the picturesque Conwy Castle before finishing on the historic promenade, where the first leader’s jersey will be decided.
Stage 2 | Wrexham to Wrexham | Fri 7 Jun
Starting and finishing in Wrexham, the second stage promises a blockbuster finish worthy of the town’s Hollywood connections, taking in the breathtaking scenery of Denbighshire and the historic city of Chester en route.
Although riders will only climb 1,570m over the 140.2km stage, the race takes in the famous Horseshoe Pass. The 5.8km climb comes at a crucial point in the race, with around 30km to go, the double digit gradients near the summit the ideal launch pad for attacks, as once again the puncheurs try to put the sprinters under pressure.
Passing through Minera and Rhostyllen on the way to the finish in Wrexham, the final kilometres promise to be a fast and frantic affair, with a number of riders in different groups still in with a chance of taking victory.
Ellingworth, who became race director of both the men’s and women’s Tour of Britain this year following his resignation as Deputy Team Principal of the Ineos Grenadiers last November, paid tribute to the Welsh Government as well as numerous local councils, whom he said, “deserve enormous credit for the commitment to the race and women’s cycling more broadly.”
The race has been put together rapidly, the Women’s WorldTour event only being placed on the UCI calendar in February, with the stage start and finish destinations being revealed last month.
Stage
Date
Start
Finish
1
Thursday 6 June
Welshpool
Llandudno
2
Friday 7 June
Wrexham
Wrexham
3
Saturday 8 June
Warrington
Warrington
4
Sunday 9 June
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
“Finalising the routes in such a short timeframe has been a huge challenge,” noted Ellingworth. “Working with our partners we’ve been able to plot out two really challenging and entertaining stages in Wales to open the race, with some iconic climbs and opportunities for the sprinters too.”
Race Director Rod Ellingworth declared himself “absolutely certain” that the opening two stages of the Tour of Britain Women will “show off the very best of Britain’s roads and scenery” as the routes around North Wales and Cheshire were revealed on Friday morning.
The four day race, returning as the Tour of Britain Women, after the cancellation of the Women’s Tour last year, is set to start with a bang on June 6, only 34 days away, with two action packed and challenging stages planned.
Stage 1 | Welshpool to Llandudno | Thu 6 June
The race will kick off in Welshpool near the English border, taking in a 142.5km route to the seaside town of Llandudno, scene of a memorable stage win for Wout van Aert in the men’s race in 2021.
Taking in 2,276 metres of climbing the race promises to be anything but a procession onto the promenade. The difficult ascent of Llangynog, a long (by British standards) 6km climb at an average gradient of 5.4%, coming after only 65km offers the climbers a chance to showcase their skills and swing the race in their favour.
Riders will pass through well-known market towns such as Llanfyllin and Bala, alongside the Llyn Tegid, and through the village of Cerrigydrudion.
A series of small but punchy climbs in the last 10km promises an attacking finale, the battle between the sprinters and puncheurs a fascinating one to call. The race passes the picturesque Conwy Castle before finishing on the historic promenade, where the first leader’s jersey will be decided.
Stage 2 | Wrexham to Wrexham | Fri 7 Jun
Starting and finishing in Wrexham, the second stage promises a blockbuster finish worthy of the town’s Hollywood connections, taking in the breathtaking scenery of Denbighshire and the historic city of Chester en route.
Although riders will only climb 1,570m over the 140.2km stage, the race takes in the famous Horseshoe Pass. The 5.8km climb comes at a crucial point in the race, with around 30km to go, the double digit gradients near the summit the ideal launch pad for attacks, as once again the puncheurs try to put the sprinters under pressure.
Passing through Minera and Rhostyllen on the way to the finish in Wrexham, the final kilometres promise to be a fast and frantic affair, with a number of riders in different groups still in with a chance of taking victory.
Ellingworth, who became race director of both the men’s and women’s Tour of Britain this year following his resignation as Deputy Team Principal of the Ineos Grenadiers last November, paid tribute to the Welsh Government as well as numerous local councils, whom he said, “deserve enormous credit for the commitment to the race and women’s cycling more broadly.”
The race has been put together rapidly, the Women’s WorldTour event only being placed on the UCI calendar in February, with the stage start and finish destinations being revealed last month.
“Finalising the routes in such a short timeframe has been a huge challenge,” noted Ellingworth. “Working with our partners we’ve been able to plot out two really challenging and entertaining stages in Wales to open the race, with some iconic climbs and opportunities for the sprinters too.”
Featured image: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
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