Some of the world's best female cyclists will make their way through the borough as the OVO Energy Women’s Tour is to pass through Bedworth for the first time.

After Nuneaton hosted a stage of the men's world tour last year it is now Bedworth's turn to be part of a huge cycling event.

The OVO Energy Women’s Tour has been hosted by Warwickshire three times and, this year, the prestigious road race on Thursday, June 13 will go through all five districts and boroughs of the county.

This includes Bedworth and Bulkington.

The OVO Energy Women's CyclingTour sets off from Atherstone's Market Square and through the town.

Mick Bennett, OVO Energy Women’s Tour race director, said: “It is fantastic to hear how the OVO Energy Tours have increased the passion for cycling in Warwickshire. 

“We know that the county is already home to a great cycling culture and that the support for the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in Warwickshire has been truly unforgettable and is something that riders have commented on year after year. 

“Hopefully this year we can encourage even more men, women and children to get active and on their bikes.”

The route

The 159km route will start in Warwick’s Market Place outside Shire Hall and will finish with a spectacular hill climb to the rooftop of Warwickshire at Burton Dassett Country Park.

Starting in Market Place in Warwick it will then pass through Leek Wootton, Kenilworth, Gibbet Hill, University of Warwick, Westwood Heath, Berkswell, Meriden, Fillongley, Corley Ash, Bedworth Heath, Bedworth, Bulkington, Shilton, Brinklow, Brentford, Church Lawford, Long Lawford, Cawston, Bilton, Dunchurch, Kites Hardwick, Leamington Hastings, Birdingbury, Morton, Princethorpe, Hunningham Hill, Ashorne, Newbold Pacey, Wellesbourne, Pillerton Priors, Edgehill, Warmington, Temple Herdewyke and Burton Dassett Country Park.

Mitchelton Scott's Sarah Roy celebrates winning as she crosses the finish line during stage three of the OVO Energy Women's Tour from Atherstone to Royal Leamington Spa

The 159km includes a 12.5km loop of Burton Dassett which will see the cyclists go through the finishing line three times.

Monica Fogarty, chief executive of Warwickshire County Council, said: “The OVO Energy tours have had a huge impact on Warwickshire and its cycling culture and we’re thrilled to be hosting The Women’s Tour for a fourth year.

“We are seeing more and more people taking up cycling, improving their health and wellbeing and in some cases using their bike instead of their car which is a fantastic outcome for us.

“On top of that, the tour also provides a welcome boost to our local economies with the influx of visitors from out of county using our shops, cafes, pubs and accommodation.  Each time we have hosted a stage of the tour, we have created an even greater legacy and we look forward to that trend continuing this year.”

A total of 16 teams, including the Top 15 cyclists in the world, are among those doing battle in the five-day race which was won last year by American Coryn Rivera.

Last year, more than 100,000 spectators lined local streets to see some of the worlds top female cyclists come together for the third stage of the Women’s Tour, topping 2017’s attendance.

Almost two thirds of that figure – approximately 63,000 people – was made up of fans coming to Warwickshire to see the race – with an estimated 2,000 travelling from overseas.

What is the tour?

Launched in 2014, the OVO Energy Women’s Tour is part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, and the UK’s leading women’s cycling event.

The 2019 OVO Energy Women’s Tour will begin in Suffolk with Stage One from Beccles to Stowmarket on Monday, June 10 with the highlights broadcast on ITV4.

Further details of this year’s OVO Energy Women’s Tour, including the full race route and competing teams can be found at www.womenstour.co.uk

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