Midlands To Stage Women’s Cycle Tour

Oundle in Northamptonshire will host the start of the opening stage of The Women’s Tour next May, which will also visit Hinckley and Bedford on day two of the new international race.

The news follows the recent confirmation that Northamptonshire would host Stage One of The Women’s Tour next May. Stage Two of The Women’s Tour will head from Hinckley to Bedford, passing through Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.

The second stage will finish in Bedford, an already popular destination for women’s cycling due to the Bedford 3 Day stage race. The Women’s Tour will take place over five stages between 7th – 11th May.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: ‘Bedford Borough has a rich sporting heritage and it is excellent news that we will be hosting The Women’s Tour. It is very exciting that this prestigious international sporting event will be gracing local roads next May and I am sure local residents of all ages will line the streets and cheer on the world class competitors.’

Commenting on the confirmation that the market town of Oundle will host the opening stage of the inaugural Women’s Tour, Deputy leader for Northamptonshire County Council Councillor Heather Smith said: ‘We are very excited that Northamptonshire has been chosen to host the first stage of The Women’s Tour. This is an opportunity to showcase our beautiful county to the rest of the world as well as promote cycling and women’s sport locally, and will be the start of a summer of cycling events. I am particularly pleased that Oundle will be the location for the start of the first stage as this beautiful historic town will make a very memorable setting for the first-ever Grand Depart of The Women’s Tour. And of course Northampton, the county town, is a fantastic place to end this historic first stage.’