With three weeks to go, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is proud to announce that it has been appointed as the official charity partner of the inaugural Friends Life Women’s Tour.

This includes being the title sponsor of the Best of British race jersey, a new award which will recognise the best British female in the race.

The Women’s Tour will feature a wealth of British cycling talent, including Laura Trott, Jo Rowsell and Lizzie Armitstead. Olympic and 3-time World Champion and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research cycling ambassador Dani King, will also compete:

“I’m really excited to be competing in The Women’s Tour. The level of competition will be high and British fans have totally embraced women’s cycling, so the crowd support should be fantastic. I will be striving to wear the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Best British Rider jersey to show my support for and raise awareness of the fantastic work that the charity does to beat blood cancer and celebrate life.”

Paul Morton, Cycling Manager at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research said: “We are proud to be the official charity partner of The Women’s Tour. As the UK’s leading blood cancer charity we have set ourselves a tough challenge, not to stop until we beat blood cancer, and we’re using the best of British science and medical research to deliver that. Our supporters regularly challenge themselves to fundraise for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research through our flagship cycling events – the London to Paris and Bikeathon rides – and so this partnership, including the Best of British jersey, is a natural fit for helping us to raise awareness and support for our work. We wish Dani the best of British competing in the Women’s Tour and hope to see her in our jersey during the race.”

The Best of British jersey embraces the Union Jack flag and features Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research’s ‘Unstopppable’ message on the side panels. The jersey was designed in-house by Eloise Lewis and Becky Tennant, who features in the launch photocall.

The Best of British jersey will be presented at the end of each stage of The Women’s Tour to the British rider who is best placed in the General Classification. Given the considerable British talent participating, it is expected that many of our cycling greats will wear the jersey during the week.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research ambassadors, supporters and fundraisers will have the honour of presenting the jersey each evening and charity volunteers will be at each stage celebration event collecting money and providing information about the charity’s work.

Members of the public inspired by The Women’s Tour can still register for the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research London to Paris bike ride (19 – 23 June) and places are also still available on the London Bikeathon (31 August) and Birmingham Bikeathon (21 September) with 100 mile, 50 mile and 26 mile challenges available.

To find out more about Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research or sign-up to participate in one of our cycling challenges, please click here.