The OVO Energy Women’s Tour begins in Suffolk for the second year running, with Beccles and Stowmarket hosting the 2019 Grand Depart.

Just under 160 kilometres (98 miles) separate the world’s best riders and the first OVO Energy green jersey of this year’s race. With just two third category Queen of the Mountains climbs along the route, the stage honours on Ipswich Road in Stowmarket are expected to go to a sprinter.

Stage route and profile

Women's Tour stage one

Key timings

Stage feature Estimated time of arrival
Start – New Market, Beccles 10:30
Eisberg sprint – RAF Honington 13:19
Eisberg sprint – Fornham St Martin 13:40
SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb – Little Welnetham 14:02
Eisberg sprint – Ipswich Road, Stowmarket 14:34
SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb – Purple Hill 14:44
Finish – Ipswich Road, Stowmarket 14:53

Click here to explore and download the full stage one timetable

Weather forecast

Race fans, bring your brollies!

Start – Beccles: 12°C, rain

Middle of the race: 12°C, rain

Finish – Stowmarket: 12°C, rain

2019 rider list

The official rider list for the 2019 OVO Energy Women’s Tour is now available. Click here to download.

Instant Expert

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

“Here comes a sprint finish… or so everybody says! While on paper our trip around Suffolk looks set to end in a bunch gallop, the closing 40 kilometres are technical and feature a few traditional English country roads. Mix those factors in with the forecast weather and there could be fireworks – and a significantly reduced peloton across the finish line in Stowmarket.

“Positioning will be key during the second half of the stage – as the old saying goes: the battle for the OVO Energy green jersey won’t be won on day one, but it could be lost!

“In terms of the stage honours, look out for Jolien D’Hoore (Boels Dolmans Cycling Team), who won in Suffolk last year, and defending champion Coryn Rivera (Team Sunweb) in contention for the victory.”

Community events

There are community events taking place in Thornham Magna, Walsham and Stowmarket during the race, as well as in Eye on Monday night.

Click here for full event info.

Downloads and links

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