World's top cyclists head to Stratford for Women's Tour

A total of 96 of the world’s top cyclists will make up the field, which will tackle the 140-kilometre stage through the heart of Warwickshire, passing through the likes of Kenilworth, Warwick and Shipston-on-Stour.

The route will take the riders past both Warwick and Kenilworth castles before finishing the stage in Stratford town centre.

Two designated Queen of the Mountains climbs will also take place on the route. The first of those at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, followed by one after Ilmington at Nebsworth Hill.

Warwickshire County Council and the University of Warwick have teamed up to host the stage.

Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Cllr Isobel Seccombe, said: “Warwickshire is giving its full support to the Aviva Women’s Tour and we are truly excited to welcome this significant event to our beautiful County.

“We intend to embrace the opportunities the Tour will bring, by showcasing the County as the best place to invest, live, work and visit as well as helping to encourage more women and girls into cycling and sport in general."

Mick Bennett, Aviva Women’s Tour race director, said: “The stage takes place through some beautiful Warwickshire scenery with several testing climbs in the south of the county in the final third of the stage, before what we hope will be a very popular finish in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon.

“We know how good the area is for cycling, while we hope the proximity to the cities of Birmingham and Coventry will bring fans out to the roadside in large numbers.”

The Warwickshire stage comes on day two of the race, which will begin at Southwold on the Suffolk coast with the opening stage finishing in Norwich on 15th June.