As women’s cycling continues to build momentum, the team at Just Racing UK is well placed – with two cycle sportives coming up in 2014 that take in parts of the forthcoming women’s version of the Tour of Britain.
Women’s cycling across the UK has certainly seen a surge of interest in the past few years, helped largely by a campaign set by British Cycling in which their aim is ‘to get one million more women in the UK cycling by 2020’. And things are certainly moving on the right track; as figures show that there has been a 44% increase in the number of women-only road races and a 66% increase in the number of circuit races between 2012 and 2013.
One of the most exciting developments for women’s cycling is that for the first time this year, there is to be a women’s version of the Tour of Britain, an event which sits completely separately to the long standing men’s event and will take place over five stages between Wednesday 7 May and Sunday 11 May. And it’s no secondary event either, as it was announced at the end of last year that the inaugural tour had received the prestigious 2.1 status from the UCI, giving it equal status to the long standing men’s event.
The start of the Tour will be in the small market town of Oundle in Northamptonshire, with stage one taking place exclusively in Northamptonshire and stage two running from Hinckley to Bedford and incorporating Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.
The team at Just Racing UK are very excited about this as not only is it right in the heart of the team’s home county, but it also follows some of the roads of its two cycling sportives – The Quattro and Squires and Spires.
The Quattro takes place on 6 April 2014, with the start and finish located in the small village of Cogenhoe in Northamptonshire. Competitors can choose between a 50-mile, 63-mile or 84 mile course, and each route takes in some of the most scenic rural roads in the country. All three routes feature in Stage two of the Women’s Tour, following the roads through Turvey, Bedford, Harrold and Wollaston.
Riders in the Quattro will be fortunate enough to enjoy just over 12 miles of the Women’s Tour route, between miles 32 and 45 on the course.
The Squires and Spires cycle event takes place only a few days before the Tour on 4 May 2014, starting and finishing in Naseby, Northamptonshire. There are two cycling routes on offer; the 78 mile ‘The Duchess’ or 50 mile ‘The Maid’, and both courses enjoy the beautiful rolling Northamptonshire countryside, passing the many beautiful country estates and ancient churches steeped in history; including the extensive grounds of Althorp Estate, home of the late Princess Diana.
Parts of ‘The Duchess’ and ‘The Maid’ also feature in Stage one of the Women’s Tour, with part of the final third of the race following the course between Great Brington to Little Brington.
Alan Rose, Just Racing UK Event Director said, “We were delighted to hear that the start of the Women’s Tour was to be in Northamptonshire, and quite literally on our doorstep. Our local area offers some of the best roads for cycling in the country and so it is no surprise that they chose this location to host the inaugural event.
“Both of our cycle sportives follow the same roads that these top female cyclists will enjoy in May, and this offers an amazing opportunity to experience a taste of this iconic event!”
Just Racing notes that both the Quattro and Squires and Spires events are suitable for all ages and abilities, and will also be well supported by the Just Racing UK crew, with comprehensive feed stations along the bike offering a variety of sweet and savoury snacks as well as nutrition from race sponsor USN.
