Tour of Britain Women's arrives in East Lancashire tomorrow

The Tour of Britain Women gets underway today in Cockermouth, Cumbria, the first stage of five days' racing in this year's edition of the event.

The stage 2 leg of the Tour of Britain’s Women’s multi-day road cycling race will begin in Clitheroe, before heading towards a challenging set of hill climbs in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, including Waddington “Waddie” Fell and the iconic Nick O’Pendle ascent, 1.9km at 7.6 per cent average gradient, of Pendle Hill.

The peloton will roll out of Castle Street at 11.30am, with the official start coming in Sawley.

The Ribble Valley section will be as follows: Clitheroe-Sawley-Bolton-by-Bowland-Tosside-Slaidburn-Newton-Waddington-Clitheroe-Sabden-Whalley-Hurst Green-Longridge.

The route then flattens out and heads west towards the coast, passing through Whalley, Longridge, and Broughton, before heading south at Singleton towards Lytham St Annes.

The riders will then endure a sprint finish onto Blackpool’s famous promenade, finishing the 110km ride alongside the iconic Mirror Ball.

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader, Councillor Simon Hore, said: “It’s great to see that the Tour will be taking in some serious moorland hill climbs while it speeds through Ribble Valley, as well as some pretty towns. 

“This will be a real test for some of the world’s best professional riders, and they won’t have much opportunity to enjoy our beautiful countryside.

"But it will provide some really spectacular viewing points for the thousands of spectators expected to line the route. 

“The excitement is really starting to build up as the big day approaches. It’s going to be a fantastic event.”

This year's race is the longest in history, with a total of 650km covered across the five stages, including sections in Cumbria and Wales.

Jonathan Day, Director of Events for British Cycling Ventures, said: “Announcing the route is one of the key milestones in the build-up to the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, as it gives riders, teams and fans their first real insight into how this year’s race could unfold.

“We have put together a course that provides opportunities for a range of different rider types to try and challenge for the title, ensuring every stage has the potential to shape the overall outcome. 

“Beyond the sporting challenge, the route reflects our ambition to bring elite women’s cycling to the diverse communities across Britain.

“Each stage will showcase a different part of the country and provide fans with the chance to experience world-class racing on their doorstep.

“We are excited to see the race come to life and to welcome spectators to what promises to be a fantastic edition of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women.”

Once the race starts, the police will be using a rolling road closure system to allow the riders and support vehicles to progress around the borough.

This means for up to 15 minutes at any given point on the route, motorcycle outriders will hold traffic at junctions until the last vehicle in the race convoy has passed; the road then reopens behind the race.

Outriders will be exercising extra caution, and motorists are asked to take additional care following the tragic death of Welsh teenager Finlay Tarling, after the 19-year-old collided with a light goods vehicle during the Volta a Portugal last week, after what a former pro described as a "catastrophic failure" in race security.

Most roads will only be affected for around 30 to 40 minutes as the race passes through; however, as this is a live event, some closures may need to be extended slightly.

Drivers who have to stop for the race should ensure the “broom” wagon, the van signifying the rear of the convoy and the end of the rolling road closure, has passed before crossing the race's route.

County Councillor Stephen Atkinson, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "We're expecting lots of people to come out to support the riders as they take on some of Lancashire's most challenging climbs and pass through your hometown or village.

"This is a huge event; there has been a lot of planning involved, and it's necessary to close roads to make sure both riders and spectators are safe while the event is here.

"Please plan ahead if you are coming to enjoy the race and spend time exploring the county once the riders have passed by.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to see sporting history on our doorstep and to support Lancashire businesses."

Temporary road closures have been planned for Clitheroe town centre.

They are as follows:

4am 

• Castle Street
• Market Place
• Wellgate
• Church Brow
• Yorke Street
• King Lane

King Street closed above New Market Street, so access to the Market car park is available.

9am

• Woone Lane (from Eshton Terrace)
• Moor Lane
• Parson Lane

Midday

• Woone Lane, Moor Lane and Parson Lane re-open

2pm

• All other road closures lifted

After the sprint finish in Blackpool the Tour of Britain Women heads to Wales for two stages, including a stunning hilltop finish at The Great Orme above Llandudno, before returning to England for the final stage in Royal Leamington Spa on Sunday.

The race will be broadcast live on ITV4 and ITVX each day.