Tour of Britain Women 2024 (Stage Four)

Description

Named the first ever European Capital of Cycling for 2024, Greater Manchester will welcome some of the biggest names in women’s cycling as they go head-to-head over 99km and 1,615m of elevation before the winner of the inaugural Tour of Britain Women is crowned. 

Stage 4: Greater Manchester: National Cycling Centre – Leigh, 99km (1,615m)

The race will depart at 11:15 from the National Cycling Centre, the home of British Cycling, and will conclude at Leigh Sports Village, with riders expected to cross the finish line at approximately 14:06. 

The anticlockwise route will cross the Ashton Canal, heading northeast to Oldham shortly before riders will face the first Queen of the Mountains (QOM) segment of the day. 

At 2.72km long with an average gradient of 5.5%, the Delph to Grains Bar climb features 23km into the route and lies among the Pennines.

The rolling route will take in the towns of Shaw and Rochdale with riders facing a fast descent through Edenfield before taking on the short but formidable Ramsbottom Rake.

Just 0.97km in length but averaging at a 9.9% gradient, the climb known locally as “The Rake” is where the final QOM points of the competition will be collected. 

The peloton will pass the picturesque Wayoh and Entwistle Reservoirs in Edgworth before facing a series of punchy kickers from Dimple which are likely to do some further damage. 

The day’s intermediate sprint segment sits on Lee Lane in Horwich with 24km of the race remaining. 

A fast, flat run into Leigh will set the stage for what is expected to be a spectacular finish to the race where spectators will witness history in action as the overall race winner will be crowned.