The world’s top cyclists will return to Suffolk in 2020 as the county hosts the final stage of The Women’s Tour between Haverhill and Felixstowe on Saturday 13 June.

It will be the first time that Suffolk, which aims to be England’s most active county, has hosted the final stage of The Women’s Tour since 2014.

To mark the announcement, organisers joined Suffolk partners at the Port of Felixstowe, the UK’s biggest and busiest container port, and one of the largest in Europe.

In numbers

  • Since 2014, The Women’s Tour has covered more than 560 kilometres of racing in Suffolk
  • The county hosted the opening stage of the race in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, as well as the final stage of the race’s inaugural edition in 2014
  • Suffolk’s six previous stages (in 2014 two stages of the race visited the county) have attracted over 250,000 spectators and delivered a net economic impact in excess of £5.3m for the county’s economy
  • Analysts Nielsen Sports described the race as “the most globally recognised brand or event of the UCI Women’s WorldTour” in a December 2019 report

Suffolk 2019 highlights

[jwplayer VVF89WFG]

Video: Watch highlights of the 2019 Women’s Tour stage in Suffolk, held between Beccles and Stowmarket, won by Belgian rider Jolien D’hoore

In quotes

Clemence Cheng, Chief Executive, Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe said: “We are delighted to be working with the organisers to bring the 2020 Women’s Tour to the Port of Felixstowe. We are working hard to attract more women into our industry and we hope that hosting the country’s leading cycling event for women here will help more people to realise the opportunities that exist in our sector.”

Cllr James Reeder, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Prevention added: “The Women’s Tour has become a staple of our sporting calendar, here in Suffolk. This is the sixth time in the last seven years that we have hosted the race, and we are very excited that this year we will host the finishing stage of this prestigious international sporting event. It is particularly significant for me that the finish line will be in Felixstowe, as after serving as a Deck Officer on oil tankers, I worked here for a short time as a container ship loading master – albeit some 35 years ago!

“I have seen first-hand how The Women’s Tour and events like it inspire people to get involved in cycling events such as Women on Wheels and the wide array of activities the county has to offer.

“The Women’s Tour is always a much-celebrated event and I look forward to welcoming the tour back to Suffolk.”

Cllr Letitia Smith, East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism said: “We are delighted the Women’s Tour is returning to East Suffolk this year as we know our local communities, businesses and schools enjoy getting involved in this sporting spectacle. We are committed to increasing people’s participation in sport and the Women’s Tour will no doubt inspire more people to take up cycling and improve their health and wellbeing.”

Zhendong Zhang, Managing Director UK of Cosco Shipping Line added: “Cosco Shipping is proud to be hosting Suffolk County Council, East Suffolk Council and Women’s Tour organisers SweetSpot on board our magnificent vessel Cosco Shipping Star to officially launch the Suffolk stage of the Women’s Tour 2020.  As a local employer, it is fitting that we stand on the bridge of our world class container vessel, to host the launch of a world class event in support of the growth of women’s cycling in the UK.”

Stage partners

In addition to Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council, the stage is also supported by local sponsors Palmer Group and Vertas Group, and West Suffolk Council and Babergh & Mid Suffolk Council.