Oxfordshire route revealed for prestigious Women’s Tour cycling race
Blake Morgan are delighted to continue to partner the Oxfordshire stage of the Women’s Tour in 2021 with the route for Stage One revealed today (21 July).
Residents between Bicester, Oxford, Abingdon and Banbury will now be able to pick their spot, ready to cheer on elite riders when this year’s Women’s Tour professional cycling race comes to Oxfordshire on Monday 4 October.
From the start line on Bicester’s Sheep Street, the race will complete a short northern loop, passing secondary school students at The Cooper School, before heading south past Graven Hill to Islip and on to Oxford. The peloton will then sweep past the John Radcliffe Hospital and into south Oxfordshire via Blackbird Leys. The stage will reach its southernmost point passing the Culham Science Centre before heading north through Abingdon, Eynsham, and past Woodstock.
The riders will pass through Bloxham before arriving in Banbury for the first time. They will then head back out to complete a short loop of Hook Norton and Sibford Ferris. Returning to Banbury they will pass the Cross and the Fine Lady statue, with a sprint to the line expected on South Bar Street.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said:
What a fantastic way to showcase our wonderful county to the world. I’m confident this event will bring economic benefits to our communities. I also hope the race will inspire even more people to exercise and take to two wheels, the healthy transport option. Hosting the prestigious race is a great collaborative effort between the county council and our colleagues at Cherwell, Oxford City, Vale of White Horse, South Oxfordshire, and West Oxfordshire.
This is the second year that Oxfordshire will host the Women’s Tour; part of a three-year commitment that began in 2019 (the 2020 race was postponed). Different routes are planned each year to showcase the county’s diversity to a national and international audience.
Oxfordshire is expecting economic and health benefits from hosting the prestigious event, with cycling fans expected to visit the county to watch the race, generating additional business for restaurants, bars, hotels, B&Bs and shops.
About 100 professional riders will weave their way through towns, villages and rural areas, inspiring local schools to organise themed sport and fitness lessons. Highlights of the race will also be screened on ITV4.
Families are expected to line the route to cheer on competitors, turning the event into an exciting community spectacle. Spectators will be encouraged to use healthy and environmentally friendly transport to reach vantage points to watch the race.
The Women’s Tour is Britain’s longest-running professional women’s race and part of the prestigious UCI Women’s World Tour series.
Commenting on the route announcement, Women’s Tour Race Director Mick Bennett, said:
Oxfordshire is a historic and world-famous county; therefore, I am looking forward to the Tour returning to this beautiful county for a second year, following our first visit in 2019.
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