Supermarket Aldi has been announced as the major sponsor of the Aviva Women’s Tour when it comes to Warwickshire on Thursday 16th June.

The supermarket, which employs over 500 staff in its head office in Atherstone, North Warwickshire, will sponsor Stage 2 of the internationally-recognised cycle race when it comes to Warwickshire this summer. 

The race, which is being hosted by Warwickshire County Council and partners the University of Warwick, will see the world’s leading female cyclists go head-to-head on a challenging 140km ride from the north to the very south of the County

The Tour stage will start in Atherstone’s historic Market Square on the morning of Thursday 16th June before wending its way through the North Warwickshire villages of Ridge Lane, Birchley Heath, Church End, Ansley, New Arley, Wood End and Fillongley.  

From North Warwickshire, the cyclists will pass through the heart of the County, taking the riders through the world-class University of Warwick campus, Kenilworth and Warwick town centres, before climbing to the highest points in Warwickshire, through Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, Edge Hill and Ilmington. The race will finish in spectacular style in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Given the supermarket’s strong connections with Atherstone and Warwickshire, and its high profile support for UK sport as the official supermarket of Team GB, Aldi is an ideal sponsor for the Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire. 

The Tour is expected to bring an economic boost to North Warwickshire and the County as a whole as thousands of spectators and tourists come to watch the event and Warwickshire is showcased globally as an outstanding place to work and invest. 

Hosts Warwickshire County Council, with the support of North Warwickshire Borough Council, are working with the region’s businesses to maximise their support and engagement in the Tour and the economic opportunities that it will bring. 

Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Councillor Izzi Seccombe, said: “I’m delighted that we have Aldi as official sponsor of the Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire. 

“They are one of our major employers and, given their strong links with Atherstone, where this internationally significant sporting event will begin, and with Warwickshire as a whole, they are perfect partners in helping us to boost awareness of the Tour and the lasting legacy that it will bring to our beautiful County.”

Jonathon Neale, Joint Managing Director of Corporate Buying at Aldi, said: “We are thrilled to sponsor stage two of the Aviva Women’s Tour. We look forward to working closely with Warwickshire County Council and inviting some of the world’s finest athletes to Warwickshire, the home of our UK Head Office.

“2016 is set to be a fantastic summer for us, with the Aviva Women’s Race and our sponsorship of Team GB on their Road to Rio. We wish the best of luck to all the participants in the race and welcome those cycling fans who may be visiting Warwickshire for the first time.”

Jerry Hutchinson, Chief Executive of North Warwickshire Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that a key North Warwickshire business is the sponsor of the Warwickshire stage of The Women’s Tour.  Aldi is a forward thinking company, they have a household name and their headquarters are here in Atherstone, so I couldn’t think of a better brand to be associated with this important event.  We are equally proud that North Warwickshire is hosting the start of Stage 2 of this international women’s cycle race.”

Mick Bennett, Race Director of the Aviva Women’s Tour, said:  “We have been thrilled by the support we have received for Stage Two of the Aviva Women’s Tour from across Warwickshire and are delighted to see communities and businesses from Atherstone in North Warwickshire all the way through to Straford-upon-Avon getting behind the race and supporting women’s cycling.”