The Tour de Yorkshire will now include a women’s race in the centre of York that is open to women with Elite through to Third Category British Cycling licenses.
There will also be a women’s only Cycletta sportive the following day alongside a range of 50km to 140km mass participation rides.
The 80km circuit race will take place on Saturday May 2, finishing just hours before Stage 2 of the men’s three day tour, guaranteeing crowds and media attention, and there is a £1,000 prize kitty to boot.
City centre circuit races promise to be an exhilarating experience, and Tour de Yorkshire are one of a string of race organisers opting to host a women’s race alongside the men’s.
Recent success’ include La Course and Strada Bianche, but this event is unique in being open to Third Category license holders – those who have obtained 12 points since getting their race license.
Tour de Yorkshire is being organised by Welcome to Yorkshire and Amaury Sport Organisation, AMO, who also run the Tour de France.
Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “We promised from the start to bring more women’s racing to Yorkshire’s roads and by hosting this race and taking advantage of the spectators, race infrastructure and media spotlight already on York that day, we’ll show women’s racing off to the world.”
Bob Howden, President of British Cycling said: “This is a fantastic new addition to the calendar and a great showcase for women’s racing. The York circuit is set for huge crowds and a superb atmosphere, so we look forward to an action packed day.”
Chief Executive of City of York Council, Kersten England, said: “York is proud to be hosting this women’s race and showcase some of the UK’s best female racing talent. It’s a great circuit to show off some of the beauty of York and spectators will be in for a fantastic race to come and watch.”
Though the race is a welcome addition to the calendar, Lizzie Armitstead has said she would “love” to have a three day race like the men’s event, saying: “I’d absolutely love to have a home race like that.”
Unfortunately, she will be racing with Boels-Dolmans team mates in Luxembourg at the time.
As well as the race, there will be a series of 50km to 140km sportives on Sunday 3May, and a 50km women’s only Cycletta event has been added to the bill.
Organisers hope these mass participation rides will help encourage more women to enjoy the health benefits of cycling.
As long as you’re a Third Cat license holder, you can enter the circuit race on the British Cycling Website here, and anyone who fancies a challenge in Yorkshire can sign up for one of the Sportives with Human Race here.
