Welshpool and Lake Vyrnwy await world’s top cyclists this summer

More than 100 of the world’s top riders will race through the heart of Mid Wales this summer as The Women’s Tour visits Welshpool for the first time.

Stage four of the UCI Women’s WorldTour event will see the riders race from Wrexham and Welshpool on Thursday, June 9.

Spectators can watch all the action by the roadside for free and highlights of the race will be shown on ITV4 in the UK, and around the world via Eurosport and GCN.

Stage five, on June 10, will see the riders race from Pembrey Country Park for a gruelling uphill finish at Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons.

Thanks to in principle support from the Welsh Government, who have backed stages of the race in 2018 and 2019, both Wrexham and Welshpool will feature in the UK’s most prestigious women’s race for the first time.

Stage four starts from the heart of Wrexham before entering Powys at Rhydycroesau. The 148-kilometre route will take in Llansilin and Penybontfawr before an unforgettable, anti-clockwise loop of Lake Vyrnwy near Llanwddyn.

It then winds its way towards the finish line in Broad Street, Welshpool, via Llanfihangel, Dolanog, Castle Caereinion, Berriew, Montgomery, Forden and Leighton.

Powys has once before hosted a stage finish of the Women’s Tour – at Builth Wells in 2019 – while the men’s Tour of Britain has visited the county six times between 2010-‘16.

Dr Caroline Turner, Powys County Council’s chief executive, said: “The return of the Women’s Tour of Britain is wonderful news for the county. The event provides Powys with a fantastic opportunity to showcase the county with a national and international television audience.

“The stage will provide a much-needed financial boost to the local economy and we hope that residents and visitors get out and support the race.”

Councillor Alison Davies, Mayor of Welshpool, added: “This an exciting boost for the town. It will be a great opportunity for the people of Welshpool to welcome International and National athletes and many visitors to the town.

“It is exciting for us to be given the opportunity to be involved in this national event and a welcome boost for the Welshpool economy following two very difficult years.

“The organisers, competitors and followers of this event can be assured of a very warm welcome in Welshpool.”

Next day, the riders will face another stern Welsh test, this time in Carmarthenshire, which has become a regular feature on the routes of the men’s Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour since 2018.

Riders will roll out from sea level at Pembrey Country Park, before heading north to Llandovery via Pontyberem, Nantgaredig and Brechfa. Stage five features 2,065m of elevation gain, the most of any stage in this year’s race, finishing atop Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Mick Bennett, Women’s Tour race director, said: “The Welsh stages in this year’s Women’s Tour are going to play a key role in determining our next champion.

“Both will offer a true test for the world’s best riders, with the thrilling racing set to be played out in front of some of the most spectacular scenery the United Kingdom has to offer. We thank all our stakeholders, including the Welsh Government, for their continued support of the Women’s Tour.”

The Women’s Tour will feature all 14 of the top division UCI Women’s WorldTeams, with 18 teams and 108 riders competing in the race, marking the biggest field in the eight-year history of the race.