Stowmarket will play host to the finish of the opening stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour on Monday 10 June 2019, with the race route passing through several Mid Suffolk locations.

Mid Suffolk District Council will be working in partnership with Suffolk County Council to host stages of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour both this year and in 2020.

The 2019 Grand Depart begins in Beccles, before the world’s best riders tackle a 157.6-kilometres route through the county. The district council and Stowmarket Town Council along with partners are part of the co-ordination team hosting the Suffolk finish in Stowmarket High Street.

In its four previous visits to Suffolk, the OVO Energy Women’s Tour is estimated to have attracted in excess of 250,000 roadside spectators and created a net economic impact for Suffolk’s economy of in excess of £3.5 million.

Other partners across Mid Suffolk including The Mix, The Striders, The Regal, The John Peel Centre, Museum of East Anglian Life, Mid-Suffolk Leisure Centre, Rotary Club and PhysioFixx, will be showing their support through a variety of community events in the run up to the race.

The stage map

Suffolk Beccles Stowmarket Women's Tour

Reaction to today’s news

Cllr Julie Flatman, Mid Suffolk District Council Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “There’s a real feel-good factor when you know an event of this magnitude is paying a visit to our district. This is a great opportunity for the community and businesses alike to get involved however they can in the run up to the event, and on the day too. I hope the race will really inspire our residents to take to the saddle and show the fun side of getting active!”

Cllr Nick Gowrley, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “It’s very exciting news that the tour will be coming through our district, with an action-packed finish in Stowmarket. I hope, like it’s previous visits to Suffolk, spectators will be out in their thousands to enjoy the scenes, show support and catch a glimpse of some real cycling talent. Not only will this put Stowmarket on the map as a visitor destination, it will also bring a welcome boost to our local economy.”

Cllr Gerard Brewster, Mid Suffolk District Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Stowmarket Town Councillor, said: “We’re delighted to play host to such a prestigious event in our town. This provides a great opportunity to get our community involved – we’ll be hosting a fundraising event on the front lawn of the town council offices, and The Regal are going to be offering a free cinema screening after the race has ended. Community partners will also be hosting a variety of exciting events and activities in the run up to the big day, with plenty of action on race day too!

“Lots of great things are happening in Stowmarket at the moment and the OVO Energy Women’s Tour is definitely going to be a town highlight of 2019!”

OVO Energy Women’s Tour race director Mick Bennett, said: “We’re extremely excited that Stowmarket is hosting its first-ever OVO Energy Women’s Tour stage finish on the opening day of the 2019 race.

“We know from previous visits with both this race and the Tour of Britain that local residents come out en masse to show their support – so much so that we’ve designed a route that means riders will pass through the finish line twice to give everybody a truly memorable experience!”

Downloads and links

Click here to visit the stage one page | Click here to download a stage one route map (PDF)