British Cycling has confirmed that the Great Britain Cycling Team will field a squad for the 2024 Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women.
The inaugural event will begin in Welshpool on Thursday 6 June before arriving in Wrexham on Friday 7 June for the start and finish of the second stage of the race.
The six-strong Great Britain Cycling Team squad features former road world champion and winner of the Women’s Tour in 2016 and 2019, Lizzie Deignan MBE (Lidl-Trek) and Olympic gold medallist and seven-time track world champion, Elinor Barker MBE (Uno-X Mobility).
As well as Barker, Wales will be represented by Elynor Bäckstedt (Lidl-Trek).
Joining them is Anna Henderson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), who in 2023 secured fourth place at the World Championship ITT and second place in the same event at the UEC Road European Championships.
Completing the line-up are Millie Couzens (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Flora Perkins (Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team).
With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on the horizon, spectators will have the opportunity to see hopefuls in action on local roads next month.
British Cycling Performance Director, Stephen Park CBE, said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm such a strong Great Britain Cycling Team for the inaugural Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women.
“We know that the team will relish the rare opportunity to race at home, and for the Paris hopefuls among the squad, the event will play a crucial role in the final preparations for the Games. We know that they’ll add real strength and stardust to the race and expect fans will be out in force to show their support.”
Elinor Barker added: “It’s always incredibly special to race on home soil where the energy and support from the crowds is unparalleled.
“For me personally, I am particularly excited that two of the stages will be hosted in Wales on some iconic roads, which will undoubtedly make for a challenging and competitive race.
“The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women comes at an important time in our preparations for a huge summer of cycling. I think I speak for the whole squad when I say we’re extremely motivated to put on a brilliant show in June – we can’t wait.”
The Great Britain Cycling Team will join the four UCI Women’s WorldTour teams and nine UCI Women’s Continental Teams confirmed for the LLoyds Bank Tour of Britain Women.
The four-day stage race will commence on Thursday 6 June and culminate in Leigh, Greater Manchester on Sunday 9 June.
Tour of Britain Women in Wrexham
On June 7 Wrexham city centre will play host to the start and end of the second stage of the race.
It is the second time in the 12 months that Wrexham has played host to a major cycling event, with huge crowds expected to cheer on the cyclists as they leave Wrexham.
15 teams will take at the start line on Chester Street (outside Crown Buildings) with the cyclists expected to leave at approx 11am towards Powell Road roundabout.
Participants are expected to arrive back in the city centre at approx 3.15pm via Tuttle Street.
The route will take cyclists take on a 140.2km and 1,570m ascent race, with thepeloton travelling north out of Wrexham, crossing into West Cheshire after just 20km, where the route ramps up alongside the Peckforton Hill Range, part of the Mid-Cheshire Ridge.
The route will then cross back into Wrexham, taking in the villages of Bangor-on-Dee and Overton, before the sprint will be decided in Johnstown. The race will then continue along a scenic stretch of the Llangollen Canal.
Riders will have less climbing to contend with on this stage, however big crowds will be expected on the iconic Horseshoe Pass, which arrives at a pivotal point of the stage with around 30km to go.
The ensuing descent will set up a fast run-in to Wrexham for the stage finish to conclude the race’s journey in Wales, passing through Minera and Rhostyllen.
Stage two will start at 11:15am on June 7 with riders expected to return to Wrexham for the stage finish at approximately 3:15pm.
Whilst the race is underway there’s a ToB village taking place on Llwyn Isaf which will include an incredible BMX stunt show.
The riders will be flying through the air performing the most breath taking and impressive tricks and stunts.
The ToB village will also play host to:
- Welsh Cycling will be providing cycling activities for members of the public to try out.
- There’ll be E-Bikes available for people to try out
- Our Play Team will be on-site with giant games and inflatable play equipment
- Various stalls including TOB official cycling stands
- There will be information stands from different WCBC departments and the TOB official cycling stands.
If you’re going to the city centre for the event please check out the parking and road closures that will be in place to ensure everyone’s safety –more here.
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