The OVO Energy Women’s Tour will continue to break new ground on Wednesday, as Oxfordshire welcomes Britain’s most prestigious women’s cycle race for the first time, with a scenic stage from Henley-on-Thames to Blenheim Palace.

Two days into the 2019 event and the battle for the OVO Energy green jersey of race leader is hotting up: our inaugural champion Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv) will wear it during the clockwise loop around Oxfordshire on Wednesday, but Britain’s Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) now sits as her nearest rival.

After two bunch sprints decided the race’s opening stages in Suffolk and Kent on Monday and Tuesday respectively, the riders will get a sign of things to come with stage three’s two SKODA Queen of the Mountains climbs at Pishill and Britwell Hill. It’s almost time for the peloton to put their climbing legs on…

Stage route and profile

Women's Tour stage three

Key timings

Stage feature Estimated time of arrival
Start – Hart Street, Henley-on-Thames 10:30
SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb – Pishill 11:00
SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb – Britwell Hill 11:18
Eisberg sprint – Wallingford 12:14
Eisberg sprint – Broadway 12:27
Finish – Blenheim Palace 14:34

Click here to explore and download the full stage three timetable

Weather forecast

Probably best to bring your umbrella, just in case!

Start: 14°C, cloudy

Middle of the race: 15°C, sunny intervals, light rain

Finish: 15°C, sunny intervals, light rain

Women's Tour stage three

Jersey leaders

OVO Energy green jersey: Marianne Vos (Netherlands) CCC-Liv

Breast Cancer Care points jersey: Marianne Vos (Netherlands) CCC-Liv to be worn by 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 two

Click here for a rider list after stage two

Instant Expert

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

“Historic Oxfordshire will make a huge impact on the OVO Energy Women’s Tour when it welcomes the race for the first time on Wednesday. 

“The toughest challenges come early on – the SKODA Queen of the Mountans climb if Britwell Hill ramps up to 12.8% in places – and so we’re expecting a fast run-in to Blenheim Palace as the lead-outs trains prepare for a sprint finish.

“Positioning entering Blenheim will be crucial: there’s a narrow, right-hander with 500 metres to go. Any riders caught behind there will see their chances of a stage win disappear.”

Women's Tour stage three

Community events

The OVO Energy Women’s Tour visits Oxfordshire for the first time in June, prompting residents of the historic market town of Faringdon to celebrate its arrival in style!

Described as the biggest event to hit the town this century, Faringdon will be turning pink on Wednesday 12 June to coincide with Britain’s biggest women’s cycle race passing through.

Faringdon Cycles are asking local residents, community groups and businesses, as well as race fans planning on watching the world’s best riders pass in the town, to play their part!

Click here for more details.

Downloads and links

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