The Women’s Tour cycle race, postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, is set to take place in June 2021 – with Haverhill once again hosting the sixth and final stage.
SweetSpot Group, organisers of the prestigious race, have today confirmed that the seventh edition of the UCI Women’s WorldTour event will now take place next year.
Organisers have applied to the UCI for dates from Monday 7th June to Saturday 12th June 2021 with final confirmation of the dates and the 2021 UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar due in the coming months.
John Mayhew, chair of ONE Haverhill Partnership and spokesman for the Heart of Haverhill business group, said the news was a huge boost for the town.
John, who is also chairman of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Haverhill & District, said: “This year’s Women’s Tour would have been a wonderful occasion for Haverhill and the postponement was regrettable though understandable.
“So we are delighted to hear the news that Haverhill will be an integral part of the 2021 race – it is fantastic news for businesses and residents alike.
“We look forward to working closely with businesses and partners to help make this event a huge success for all.”
Commenting on the decision, Hugh Roberts from SweetSpot Group, organisers of the Women’s Tour said: “Following discussions with stakeholders and sponsors, as well as British Cycling and the UCI, we have decided to work towards June 2021 for the next edition of the Women’s Tour, and will not seek to re-arrange the race later in 2020.
“We recognise the unprecedented nature of the current global situation and the challenges for the UCI calendar and so wanted to take an early decision not to look for an alternative 2020 date.
“With the extra time now available we look forward to making next year’s Women’s Tour even bigger and better than before and a fantastic celebration of cycling and Britain.
“We are now working with partners on our plans for the Women’s Tour to be live streamed for the first time in 2021 and are also exploring opportunities to bring the race closer to our fans than ever before in these challenging times, such as the opportunity to race and ride past stages on their home trainer.”
As planned for June this year, the 2021 Women’s Tour will begin in Bicester, Oxfordshire and finish with a sixth and final stage in Suffolk, between Haverhill and Felixstowe.