British Women's Cycling Championship Returns in June After Funding Shortfall

The British Women's Cycling Championship, formerly known as the Women's Tour, will make its return in June 2024 after a funding shortfall led to the cancellation of the 2023 edition. British Cycling has taken over the organization of the race from the previous promoter, SweetSpot, and will deliver the first major international stage race under its new British Cycling Events division.

The 2024 Tour of Britain Women will consist of four stages, down from six in the previous edition, and will take place from June 6-9, 2024. The race will start in Welshpool, mid-Wales, and finish in Leigh, Greater Manchester, as part of the city's European Capital of Cycling celebrations. The route, revealed for the tour women four day stage race, will showcase challenging terrain in Wales and England, including a stage through the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley in Wrexham and a flatter stage in Warrington favoring sprinters.

British Cycling CEO Jon Dutton expressed enthusiasm for the race, noting the hard work and support of various local councils and governments in delivering the event in just 10 weeks. Tour of Britain Race Director Rod Ellingworth also highlighted the importance of the race in promoting cycling and the local areas it visits. The event is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of fans as the country's biggest free-to-attend sporting event.

The return of the British Women's Cycling Championship is a significant boost for women's cycling in the UK and internationally. The race provides a platform for top female cyclists to compete and showcase their talents, while also promoting the sport and the local communities it visits.

Former world champion Lizzie Deignan is set to lead the British national team at the race, which will also feature all six British UCI Continental teams and a strong GB women's team. The full race routes and participating teams and riders will be announced in the coming weeks. British Cycling and its partners see the event as an opportunity to promote cycling and the local areas, with Wales to host opening stages of the 2024 tour women and the race expected to generate significant economic benefits for the host regions.

Key Takeaways

• British Women's Cycling Championship returns in June 2024 after 2023 cancellation.
• 4-stage race starts in Welshpool, Wales and ends in Leigh, Greater Manchester.
• Event organized by British Cycling, expected to attract hundreds of thousands of fans.
• Former world champion Lizzie Deignan to lead British national team at the race.
• Race aims to promote cycling and local communities, with economic benefits for host regions.