Powys hosts its first-ever OVO Energy Women’s Tour stage on Friday 14 June, as the world’s best riders battle it out over the county’s gruelling terrain in what promises to be an unforgettable day of racing in Wales.

Billed as the race’s hardest stage yet, the 140 kilometres (87 miles) between Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells pack in 2,206 metres of elevation gain – more than the toughest climbs in the Tour de France.

It’s also an incredibly spectator-friendly day: the start line (by Llandrindod Wells’ man-made lake) and the finish at the Royal Welsh Showground are a short distance apart, making it easily possible to see both for those travelling around by car and bike!

OVO Energy green jersey leader Liane Lippert (Germany, Team Sunweb) and 2017 champion Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland, Canyon//SRAM Racing) sit level on time at the top of the standings. Britain’s Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) is third overall, just three seconds in arrears, making Friday’s stage incredibly important in the battle for the overall victory come Saturday in nearby Carmarthenshire.

Stage route and profile

Women's Tour stage five

Key timings

Stage feature Estimated time of arrival
Start – Princes Avenue, Llandrindod Wells 10:30
Eisberg sprint – Beguildy 11:53
SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb – Gordwwr Bank 12:09
Eisberg sprint – St Harmon 12:57
SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb – Epynt 13:53
Finish – Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells 14:26

Click here to explore and download the full stage five timetable

Weather forecast

Seemingly not the best conditions to race in, but we’ve had worse this week!

Start: 10°C, cloudy, light rain

Middle of the race: 14°C, cloudy

Finish: 14°C, cloudy

Liane Lippert Women's Tour Stage Four

Jersey leaders

OVO Energy green jersey: Liane Lippert (Belgian) Team Sunweb

Breast Cancer Care points jersey: Jolien D’hoore (Belgium) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team

SKODA Queen of the Mountains jersey Christine Majerus (Luxembourg) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team

Eisberg sprints jersey Coryn Rivera (USA) Team Sunweb

HSBC UK | British Cycling best British rider jersey Lizzie Deignan (Great Britain) Trek-Segafredo

Click here for full standings after stage four

Click here for a rider list after stage four

Instant Expert

The OVO Energy Women’s Tour expert says of stage five:

“It’s great to be back in Wales for the final two days of this year’s OVO Energy Women’s Tour – although the riders may not be so thankful! Stage five is going to be TOUGH: simply ask anybody who knows the roads in Powys.

“There may only be two SKODA Queen of the Mountains climbs but there could easily be eight. It’s up and down all day, with little rest for the peloton, who already have four days of racing in their legs. 

“The final SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb of Epynt comes with just 21 kilometres remaining: this could be the launchpad for the stage-winning attack. Given the Royal Welsh Showground is flat, we could see the world’s best climbers sprint it out for the victory!”

 Downloads and links

Click here to visit the stage five hub | Click here to explore the stage five timetable