Tour Of Britain Women 'will cement city's commitment to cycling'

British Cycling have announced the Tour of Britain Women will take place between 6 and 9 June

Hosting the Tour Of Britain Women's finale will cement Manchester's place as a home of cycling, the man in charge of getting the city moving has said.

The city and wider Greater Manchester region will host the final leg of the race in June, following three stages in North Wales and Warrington, Cheshire.

Manchester became European Capital of Cycling in January, a moniker that it hopes will encourage people to use bicycles more.

Manchester Active's chief executive Eamonn O'Rourke said the city was "delighted" to host the "prestigious event".

The Women's Tour was cancelled in 2023 after organisers failed to find the funding required for the race.

On Monday, British Cycling announced a four-stage race would return between 6 and 9 June.

It will see the world's top female riders race from the heart of Powys to the seaside town of Llandudno, around Wrexham and the Clwydian Range and through Warrington, before finishing with a ride from Manchester to Leigh.

Greater Manchester hosted the first stage of the men's tour in 2023

Mr O’Rourke said Manchester was "delighted" to be hosting the race in the year it became "the very first European Capital of Cycling".

“Hosting such a prestigious event cements Manchester’s commitment to supporting women’s sport at all levels, and our dedication to encourage more women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity," he said.

He added that the city was also "thrilled that the route will commence from the National Cycling Centre, our world-famous ‘medal factory’ and home of British Cycling".

Warrington Borough Council's chief executive Prof Steven Broomhead said it was "great news" that the town was hosting "the pinnacle of the sport again", after hosting a stage finish in the men's race in 2011.

“We’re pleased to be playing our part in celebrating some of the world’s greatest cyclists, bringing elite sport back to Warrington once again," he added.

"It will be a fantastic showcase that will equally generate societal, health and wellbeing benefits.”