British Cycling has welcomed the news that two British events will feature prominently in the newly announced UCI Women’s World Tour.
The Aviva Women’s Tour and RideLondon are two of the 17 events that will make up the top level of women’s cycling from 2016 onwards.
The events in the Women’s World Tour were announced by the UCI earlier today and will become the leading series of races for professional women road cyclists, replacing the UCI Women’s Road World Cup which ran from 1998 to 2015.
British Cycling’s director of cycle sport and membership, Jonny Clay, said:
“This is great news. We’ve worked closely for many months with organisers and with the UCI to bring Women’s World Tour events to Britain and I’m proud of the team that has made this happen. The Aviva Women’s Tour and RideLondon already attract world-class fields and fantastic crowds and are fully deserving of their place on the World Tour.
“It’s also a further boost to our We Ride strategy, our comprehensive approach to promote and build women’s cycling in this country – with the ultimate goal of getting one million more women cycling by 2020.”
British Cycling’s #Weride strategy was launched in March 2013. The strategy looks at all aspects of the sport from major events, competitive racing and recreational riding, to coaching and volunteering, with the governing body providing thousands of opportunities every year for women to get involved with the sport.
The two year-update published in June showed that over 250,000 more women are now riding bikes regularly, just two years into the plan.
Great Britain Cycling Team’s most decorated Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey said:
“Having two Women’s World Tour races within the UK creates a huge opportunity for British professional riders to experience the magic of a home crowd on one of the biggest stages outside of the Olympics and World Championships.
“Women from all over the world will race in the Women’s Tour and Ride London which have come about as a direct result of the London 2012 legacy.
“Aspiring young women who have ambitions to be road professionals in the future will now be able to see the world’s best here in the UK and this is a huge positive as we look to further develop women’s cycling in Britain.”
