Routes

2025 Tour of Britain Women: stage-by-stage guide

The 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, set to take place from 5 to 8 June, covers 423.6 kilometres across four diverse stages.

The 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women will cover 423.6 kilometres over four stages, traversing diverse regions including North Yorkshire, the Tees Valley, the Scottish Borders, and Glasgow. Scheduled from 5 to 8 June, the event forms part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, attracting top international teams and riders, as well as a full complement of British UCI Continental teams.

The race begins in Dalby Forest, proceeding through varied terrain including coastal routes, rolling hills, and significant climbs, passing through notable towns such as Redcar, Hartlepool, and Saltburn-by-the-Sea. Subsequent stages move northwards to the Scottish Borders, featuring challenging climbs around Kelso. The final stage takes place on a city-centre circuit in Glasgow, contrasting notably with the punchier course used during the 2023 World Championships.

StageDateStart Finish
1Thursday 5 JuneDalby ForestRedcar
2Friday 6 JuneWrexham  Wrexham  
3Saturday 7 JuneKelsoKelso
4Sunday 8 JuneGlasgowGlasgow

Stage 1 | Dalby Forest – Redcar | Thursday, 5 June

Distance: 81.5 km
Start: 11:30, Dalby Forest Visitor Centre
Finish: Approx. 14:00, Coast Road, Redcar

The race begins amidst the dense greenery of Dalby Forest, renowned for its challenging trails and picturesque views. Riders will face a tough opening stage covering 81.5 kilometres, showcasing the diverse and demanding landscape of the North York Moors National Park and the scenic Tees Valley.

Exiting Dalby Forest, the route swiftly heads through the historic market town of Pickering before entering a sequence of rolling hills and sharp inclines. The first major challenge arrives at Blakey Ridge, a steady and draining climb stretching over six kilometres at an average gradient of 4%, beginning at Hutton-le-Hole and winding through exposed moorland roads.

After descending Blakey Ridge, riders face another categorised climb, the steeper ascent of Langburn’s Bank out of Castleton, covering two kilometres at a punishing 5% gradient. This climb will test the peloton’s strength and could potentially split the group, giving climbers and punchy riders a crucial early advantage.

Following these climbs, the riders traverse the picturesque village of Great Ayton before contesting the day’s intermediate sprint in the village of Newton-under-Roseberry, injecting an additional tactical element into the race.

The peloton will then descend into Guisborough, passing through its bustling centre via Park Lane and Bolckow Street, before making their way towards the seaside town of Marske-by-the-Sea. The flat, coastal run-in along Coast Road to Redcar promises a thrilling sprint finish, where positioning and teamwork will be critical in securing the first stage victory and the leader’s jersey.

Fans can expect an exciting spectacle along the route and particularly at the seaside finish, where the sprinters will battle fiercely for victory in the shadow of Zetland Park, concluding the opening stage of the 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women.

Stage 2 | Hartlepool – Saltburn-by-the-Sea | Friday, 6 June

Distance: 114.3 km
Start: 10:45, Hartlepool Marina
Finish: Approx. 14:00, Glenside, Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Stage 2 of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women begins on the scenic waterfront at Hartlepool Marina, close to the National Museum of the Royal Navy. The route covers 114.3 kilometres through the Tees Valley region, promising a challenging day that could have significant implications for the general classification.

From Hartlepool Marina, riders initially travel southwards along the coast, passing through Seaton Carew before turning inland towards Billingham. The peloton then proceeds through Sadberge and Middleton St George, before navigating the picturesque market town of Yarm.

The route continues through Stokesley and revisits Great Ayton, shortly thereafter heading towards Guisborough. Riders will contest the first intermediate sprint of the day located on Westgate in Guisborough, approximately halfway through the stage, providing valuable bonus seconds and points.

After Guisborough, the peloton enters a challenging final phase, completing two laps of a demanding circuit that includes the villages of Skelton, Boosbeck, Lingdale, and Brotton. Each lap features the Marske Lane Queen of the Mountains climb, a consistent 1.5-kilometre ascent averaging a 4.5% gradient. This climb, tackled twice, provides climbers with crucial opportunities to attack and gain advantage.

The second intermediate sprint occurs during the first passage through the finish line on Glenside in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, adding further tactical intrigue as teams vie for positioning.

The highlight of the stage is the iconic Saltburn Bank, a short but severe climb of approximately 300 metres at gradients reaching 15%. This steep climb, known for its sharp hairpins and punishing gradient, has become synonymous with decisive moments in British road racing. Riders will ascend Saltburn Bank twice, with the second ascent concluding the stage atop Glenside.

The challenging climbs, tactical intermediate sprints, and a dramatic uphill finish make Stage 2 a critical and potentially decisive day in the 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women. Spectators can expect intense racing, especially on Saltburn Bank, where stage honours and general classification ambitions will be fiercely contested.

Stage 3 | Kelso – Kelso | Saturday, 7 June

Distance: 143.8 km
Start: 11:00, The Square, Kelso
Finish: Approx. 15:00, The Square, Kelso

Stage 3 of the 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women closely mirrors Stage 2 of the 2024 Tour of Britain Men, starting and finishing in the historic market town of Kelso, nestled in the scenic Scottish Borders. Covering 143.8 kilometres, the route offers varied terrain, challenging climbs, and tactical opportunities that promise an engaging day of racing.

From Kelso’s central square, riders initially head northwest, passing near the grand Mellerstain House and through Smailholm before tackling the day’s first categorised Queen of the Mountains (QoM) climb at Scott’s View, a scenic ascent averaging 2.5% gradient over 2.5 kilometres. This climb, with its panoramic views, will test riders early on and could initiate strategic moves.

The route then descends sharply under the iconic Leaderfoot Viaduct before crossing the River Tweed and passing through Melrose. Immediately thereafter, riders face the more demanding QoM climb of Dingleton, a tough ascent averaging over 6% across 2.5 kilometres, set against the backdrop of the distinctive Eildon Hills.

After tackling the Dingleton climb, the peloton continues southwards through the rural landscape, heading via Denholm to the challenging ascent of Dunion Hill. This climb is three kilometres in length, with an average gradient of 5.4%, likely making it a significant point for potential breakaways or selections in the peloton.

The route descends into Jedburgh before turning north again, running alongside the River Tweed and back towards Kelso. Upon returning to Kelso’s cobbled market square, riders will contest the stage’s intermediate sprint, adding tactical excitement to the race as teams position their sprinters.

Following the intermediate sprint, riders complete a shorter loop that circles the picturesque grounds of Floors Castle, leading directly to the second ascent of Scott’s View, once again challenging the peloton. Shortly after, the riders face the second passage of the steep Dingleton climb, the last categorised QoM ascent of the entire race.

The final 15 kilometres provide a rapid and intense conclusion, running via St Boswell’s and then alongside the Tweed back into Kelso. The route’s flat finish into The Square promises a fast and tactical conclusion, likely suited to sprinters who can endure the day’s earlier challenges, or a breakaway that successfully withstands the peloton’s pursuit.

Stage 3’s blend of strategic climbs, tactical intermediate sprinting, and its picturesque yet demanding route makes it a decisive and spectator-friendly stage, potentially critical for riders with ambitions in the overall classification.

Stage 4 | Glasgow Circuit | Sunday, 8 June

Distance: 84 km (10 laps of 8.4 km)
Start: 10:00, Glasgow Green
Finish: Approx. 12:00, Glasgow Green

The final stage of the 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women unfolds over an 8.4-kilometre urban circuit in the heart of Glasgow, markedly different from the punchy, technical course used during the 2023 UCI World Championships held in the city.

Starting from Glasgow Green, the peloton exits onto Saltmarket, passing the iconic McLennan Arch, before turning onto Clyde Street and running alongside the River Clyde towards Finnieston Quay. This initial riverside stretch provides a fast, flat opening to each lap, ideal for maintaining a high race pace.

The circuit then turns inland with a gentle ascent up Finnieston Street, providing a gradual climb before a sharp right turn onto Argyle Street. Riders then face the most challenging climb of the circuit on St Vincent Street, although significantly less severe than the climbs featured in the 2023 World Championship route. This climb is relatively steady but could become a decisive factor after repeated ascents over ten laps.

After cresting St Vincent Street, the riders descend quickly onto West Nile Street, navigating a technical sequence of city streets including George Street and passing the historic St George’s Tron Church and the northern edge of George Square. This section, although technical, remains relatively flat and fast, contrasting with the more abrupt elevation changes that characterised the 2023 World Championship course.

The circuit then accelerates along High Street towards the Tolbooth Steeple, taking a sharp left onto London Road, before re-entering Glasgow Green via Binnie Place. The final run-in alongside the Clyde provides a fast and open approach to the finish line back at Glasgow Green.

This circuit will feature three intermediate bonus sprints at the finish line on laps four, six, and eight, providing tactical opportunities and valuable bonus seconds crucial to the overall classification contenders.

Post-race, the roads will remain closed, allowing fans and cycling enthusiasts to ride the very same circuit during the Lloyds Tour of Britain Family Cycling Festival, celebrating Glasgow’s cycling legacy and offering a unique, traffic-free cycling experience.

The relatively flatter and faster nature of this city-centre circuit, compared to the 2023 World Championship’s punchier course, means the stage will likely favour sprinters and powerful rouleurs.

Featured image: SWpix.com


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