For the first time, Gloucestershire is playing host to a full stage of the prestigious women’s cycling race, the Women’s Tour, on Wednesday 8 June 2022.
Cycling enthusiasts can get in on the free-to-watch action as athletes pedal through the county’s most scenic routes, starting in Tewkesbury town centre and finishing at Gloucester Docks.
Heading west upon leaving Tewkesbury, over 14 of the world’s best teams will ride into the Forest of Dean, passing through Newent, Coleford, Lydney, Cinderford and Westbury-on-Severn, all before finishing the 108-kilometre journey at Gloucester Docks.
Adding to the excitement, spectators will be able to enjoy both the start and end of the race, with the two locations just over 10 miles apart.
Fans of the sport might recognise a few famous names, including national road race champion and Gloucestershire resident, Pfeiffer Georgi; previous champion Jess Roberts; as well as title-holding riders Josie Nelson, Katie Archibald, Joss Lowden and Anna Henderson.
Commenting on her return to the race, Georgi, who lives in the village of Breadstone in the Stroud District, said; ‘I’m really excited to be racing at the Women’s Tour this year as it’s always special racing on home roads and even more so being able to wear the national champions jersey.
‘I’m particularly looking forward to stage three, which finishes very close to my home. So it will be on a lot of my local training roads and I know a lot of my family will be there to watch!’
Mick Bennett, race director for The Women’s Tour, said: ‘We know there are many cycling fans in Gloucestershire, so being able to take the race to the famous county for the first time in 2022 is fantastic news.’
The third stage expected to play a key role in deciding this year’s champion, the race is sure to bring a thrilling atmosphere and will be broadcast both nationally and internationally.
This will be welcome news for county cycling fans, in addition to the sixth leg of the men’s Tour of Britain will be coming through Gloucestershire in September 2022.
