Excitement is brewing in Suffolk and north Essex as this Friday marks the third stage of the Women’s Tour – with the race starting in Felixstowe and ending in Clacton-on-Sea.
The 86 kilometre race will start at Felixstowe seafront at 11am on Friday, May 9.
It will go through Brightwell, Little Bealings, Kesgrave, Ipswich, Freston, Manningtree, Great Oakley, Beaumont, Thorpe-le-Soken and Great Holland before finishing in Marine Parade in Clacton-on-Sea at about 1.20pm.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved and watch the event, with riders passing along busy places such as the Ipswich Waterfront.
Representatives from the councils involved said they were delighted to be part of such an exciting event.
Cllr TJ Haworth, Suffolk Coastal District Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Customers, Communities and Leisure said it was great that Felixstowe would be hosting the start of stage three.
“A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to attract this prestigious event to the area. Hopefully it will prove to be a massive boost, not only to Felixstowe but the entire district,” she said. “Cycling is increasingly high profile and has seen a massive growth in popularity as a participation sport in recent years. Having stage three of The Women’s Tour starting in Felixstowe, then going through Suffolk Coastal, will put us in the spotlight, attracting national and international media, as well as cycling enthusiasts from across the country and, through the link to the continent via Harwich, will open the event up to cycling fans from the heartland of competitive cycling, such as Holland, France and Germany.
“This event allows us to support our aim of encouraging people to have healthier lifestyles, while giving the tourist industry and profile of Felixstowe and the surrounding area a much-needed boost, opening the town up to a new audience and new type of tourist. We hope the start of stage three in Felixstowe will be a real community event, involving the local schools and other organisations.”
Mark Platt, Tendring District Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Events and Leisure Facilities, said he was really looking forward to the event too.
“It will be without doubt the single largest sporting event ever to be hosted by our district and by having both dates a larger part of Tendring will be able to join in,” he said. “It should create a carnival atmosphere, give the district a shot in the arm for the coming summer season and show that we can host major international events such as this.”
“What takes place on our roads next month could be a real game changer and encourage people to take up cycling, either as a fun family pursuit or as a sport,” said Cllr Platt. “It will also bring communities together to celebrate and enjoy the tour in a way we have not seen for a sporting event in Tendring in the past.”
There are plenty of events taking place in the area to mark the event so make sure you try to see part of the race, wherever you are.
For more details, see our Women’s Tour page
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