The Women's Tour | Henley-on-Thames revealed as OVO Energy Women’s Tour stage three start

15 Apr 2019

Henley-on-Thames will be the start location for stage three of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour on Wednesday 12 June, it has been announced.

Full details of the Oxfordshire route were revealed at a ceremony at the town’s Leander Club – home to rowing greats like Sir Steve Redgrave CBE and Rebecca Romero – on Monday 15 April.

Elite cyclist Sophie Wright (Bigla Pro Cycling) announced that Oxfordshire’s race section will start from Market Place in the centre of Henley.

The famous South Oxfordshire town will host a Big Bike Breakfast on the morning of the race. Crowds will line the streets, cheering off participants on the 145-kilometre leg that will finish outside Blenheim Palace in West Oxfordshire.

The stage route

From Henley, stage three will traverse the Chilterns via Pishill to Watlington, before returning via the climb of Britwell Hill to Sonning Common and Goring.

Crossing the River Thames at Wallingford, the route will pass through Didcot, Harwell and Wantage, crossing the Vale of White Horse to Faringdon, before looping through the West Oxfordshire towns of Burford, Charlbury and finally Woodstock in the closing kilometres.

Reaction to today’s news

Yvonne Rees, CEO of Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council said: “We are delighted to welcome the Women’s Tour to Oxfordshire, with a start in Henley, a tour of our fantastic countryside and the finish at Blenheim Palace – this will be a fantastic stage.

“From past experience, this event will bring economic benefits to our communities, but for me, I am really excited about inspiring more of us to get on our bikes and be active. Let’s take this opportunity to take that step – get out and about – get healthy. Come rain or shine, let’s use 12 June to kick start our ambitions – plus show the world the county at its best.”

Mark Stone, Chief Executive of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils said: “This is wonderful news for residents and businesses in Henley and across our two districts – the economic benefits will be significant. It will hopefully inspire lots of people to take part in healthy activities like cycling, but just as importantly it is going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to watching it.”

Janet Wheeler, Henley Town Council’s Town Clerk, added: “On behalf of the Mayor of Henley – and the Henley Town Councillors – we are delighted to host the start of this prestigious event. Henley loves a good party; and this looks like an event to inspire us all to leave the car behind and travel on two wheels!”

Commenting on the announcement, OVO Energy Women’s Tour Race Director Mick Bennett, said: “Oxfordshire is a historic and world-famous county; therefore, I am looking forward to the Tour visiting there over the coming years. To have our 2019 stage – the first ever to take place in Oxfordshire – start in Henley will provide the most incredible backdrop; and leave our world-class field with a truly unforgettable memory and reinforce the prestige of the event.”

Facts and figures

Oxfordshire’s county, city and district councils announced last month that a stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, the UK’s most prestigious women’s cycle race, had been agreed to race through the county for the next three years, in partnership with event organisers SweetSpot Group.

The county is expecting economic and health benefits from hosting the prestigious event, with cycling fans expected to visit the county to watch the race, generating additional business for restaurants, bars, hotels, B&Bs and shops.

In a comparable stage in last year’s race in Warwickshire, additional local expenditure linked directly to the event totalled £2m by around 100,000 spectators. Nearly two-thirds (63%) came from outside the county and 67% of spectators said they were inspired to cycle more often.