On Wednesday 6th March, Tour Ambassador, Olympian, Commonwealth Games, World and Multiple European Champion, Katie Archibald MBE headed to Edinburgh, to officially launch the first Women’s Tour of Scotland.
The eagerly anticipated route was formally released today in Scotland.
Supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s events directorate, the three-day, three stage 350km Tour will take place on Friday 9th – Sunday 11th August 2019 and is intended to be a long-term fixture in the events calendar.
Seasoned Race Director, Alan Rushton described the route; “The official start will depart from Dundee’s iconic waterfront area and the 103km stage will take in the Tay Road Bridge and travel down through the Kingdom of Fife to finish in Pittencrief Park, Dunfermline.
"Stage Two is a 139.4km route departing on Saturday 10th August 2019 from George Square, Glasgow, sweeping through The Trossachs and finishing in the centre of Perth.
"The final stage of the inaugural Women’s Tour of Scotland will start and finish in the beautiful setting of Holyrood Park, the famous Royal Park in central Edinburgh. The 118.3km stage will include three Queen of the Mountain climbs which will make the final 18kms of the Tour decisive.”
Archibald commented: "This is a great route for a race and the sheer calibre of teams and riders who will be racing the first Women's Tour of Scotland is really exciting - I'm proud to be involved with the Tour and I really hope more women and girls will be inspired to start cycling as a result."
Between 18-20 of the worlds’ leading elite teams will be taking part and the Women’s Tour of Scotland has proved a welcome addition to the international calendar of the worldwide governing body for cycling, the UCI.
Darren Clayton, Managing Director of Zeus Sports commented: “This is the first time a Women’s race has been brought before a Men’s and the first time the prize money for an equivalent men’s race has been matched from day one. With an ambition to make the Tour the most digitally connected race over the next five years and the world’s first climate positive sports event by 2020, we at Zeus Sports, the Official Rights Holder, have set out a clear commitment to break with tradition, putting women’s cycling, parity of pay and sustainability at the forefront of the event."
Highlighting the importance of this, Tour Ambassador Eileen Roe, Former British National Circuit Race Champion from High Valleyfield, Fife commented: “When I first began racing there were hardly any girls cycling, I would be racing against the boys. To have a race like this will mean young girls can be inspired to get out on a bike."
As part of the Tour’s legacy and development programme, alongside the professional race, each start and finish will feature family activation zones for fans, spectators, local residents, cycling clubs, visitors and families to get involved and be inspired to ride.
More information: https://womenstourofscotland.com/
