Details of the Stage Four finish in Welwyn Garden City of the inaugural Women’s Tour were unveiled yesterday at a star-studded celebration of women’s sport.

Emma Trott, who will be competing in the groundbreaking event along with her sister, Laura, was there as details of the stage finish were released by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and tour organisers, SweetSpot. The Trott sisters will be joined by other world-class athletes including Marianne Vos and Lizzie Armitstead, gold and silver medalists respectively in the women’s road race at the London Olympics, as they compete to be first across the Welwyn Garden City finish line on Saturday 10 May.

Recognising the significance of the race for women’s sport, the council and SweetSpot were joined by England international and Arsenal Ladies legend, Casey Stoney, and Clare Drakeford, a Hertfordshire Mavericks netball star. Also there to mark the occasion were a dozen of the current Welwyn Wheelers who race for the club at which Emma and Laura Trott began their cycle racing careers. These included Bethany Hayward, now part of the British Cycling Olympic Development Programme and set to be a cycling star of the future.

The event also saw Tesco named as the lead sponsor for Stage Four. They will have a strong presence throughout the route from its start in Cheshunt, before it heads north and winds round Hertfordshire, back through Welwyn village and on to the Welwyn Garden City finish.

Cllr John Dean, Leader of the council, said: “We have worked closely with SweetSpot since the idea of a Women’s Tour was first raised, and we were keen for the borough to host a stage finish for a number of reasons. It will be a great day for people in and around the area, and the presence of local riders such as Emma and Laura Trott can only help with that.

“It’s also going to attract spectators, competing teams and other visitors from outside the borough, and local businesses are set to benefit from this boost to the local economy.

“Last but not least, it’s a real opportunity to engage people with sport and inspire a new generation, girls and young women in particular. That’s why it’s great to see so many superb female athletes joining us to mark the occasion as further details of the Stage Four route were revealed.”

Lindsey Paterson, Tesco’s Head of UK Community, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Stage Four of the inaugural Women’s Tour event, which will take place close to our own head offices in Hertfordshire. The Women’s Tour not only provides us with an ideal opportunity to support a local sporting event but to also highlight the work we’ve been doing to help our colleagues and customers lead healthier lives.

“Cycling has become increasingly popular over the last few years and a national event for women in the UK will only help to promote the sport further in local communities up and down the country.”

Below – Emma Trott presents a signed Welwyn Wheelers jersey to Lindsey Paterson to celebrate their sponsorship of Stage Four

Cllr Dean added: “We’re very pleased that Tesco, one of the biggest employers in the borough, has chosen to support the race. We look forward to working with them in the weeks ahead as excitement builds ahead of the stage finish on Saturday 10 May.”

More information about the Stage Four route from Cheshunt to Welwyn Garden City, as well as the other four stages and team profiles, can be found here ahead of the launch of the full Women’s Tour website later this month.

Below (left to right) –  England international and Arsenal Ladies legend, Casey Stoney, Boels Dolmans rider Emma Trott, Clare Drakeford, a Hertfordshire Mavericks netball star, and Bethany Hayward, Matrix Fitness Vulpine and part of the British Cycling Olympic Development Programme.