The OVO Energy Women’s Tour will visit Wales for the first time this weekend, as the UCI Women’s World Tour event concludes in Gwynedd and Conwy on Sunday 17 June.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
In recent years North Wales has hosted the men’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain on four occasions, but this year will mark the first time that the world’s top female riders have had the chance to race in the area.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Elis-Thomas, who will attend the stage finish in Porth Eirias for the winners’ presentation, said:
“I’m delighted that we’re supporting this race for the first time this year. As Britain’s only international level stage race for women, the event attracts the best female riders in the world – and is an excellent event to raise the profile of women’s sport, the sport of cycling and to encourage participation and healthy lifestyles. The route will showcase Wales’ landscapes and will also highlight some of our epic shores which we’re celebrating during the Year of the Sea in 2018.
”Spectators in Wales also give our cyclists such a fantastic welcome and I hope that the crowds turn out on Sunday to cheer the cyclists along the finishing stage of this race.”
The five-day race will conclude with a tough 122-kilometre stage from Dolgellau to Colwyn Bay, the cyclists will travel along some of the most scenic routes in Wales which make up The Wales Way - the family of three routes around Wales. The Wales Way is the umbrella name for three routes, celebrating key tourism products and experiences along the North Wales Way, the Coastal Way and the Cambrian Way which will encourage visitors to explore more of Wales.
As Wales celebrates the Year of the Sea in 2018, the first part of the stage will track the beautiful Welsh coastline of Tremadog Bay, through Barmouth and Harlech, before heading inland to tackle several climbs as the route crosses Snowdonia, via Beddgelert and Betws-y-Coed to finish on the North Wales coast at Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay.
In total 17 teams will compete in the 2018 OVO Energy Women’s Tour, including four British squads, Wiggle HIGH5, Trek Drops, WNT Rotor and Storey Racing, with the riders set to compete in the race being announced during the early summer.
A one-hour highlights programme of every stage will be broadcast daily on ITV4 and Eurosport and available on demand via the ITV Hub and Eurosport Player. The OVO Energy Women’s Tour is a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, comprising 23 events around the world in 10 different countries.