THE world’s best female cyclists will race through Evesham when the OVO Energy Women’s Tour 2018 comes to town next weekend.
Stage four of Britain’s premier women’s cycle race will begin on Saturday, June 16 in the town centre and will finish in Worcester.
Hosted by Wychavon District Council and Worcester City Council and supported by Worcestershire County Council, the 81 mile stage will set off from Vine Street at 10.30am.
Cyclists will then head onto the A44 towards Pershore before travelling to Broadway, Droitwich and finishing in Worcester.
There will be fun for all the family at the stage site including street performances from the likes of ‘Treemendous’ and the ‘Hedgemen’ from 8.30am to 11.30am.
Visitors are being urged to walk and cycle where possible or to park on Crown Meadow and stride through Abbey Park to the event.
Motorists are being advised of road closures which will be in place from 4am to 1pm on June 16.
Abbey Road, Merstow Green, Vine Street and the lower High Street will be closed up to the junction of Avon Street/Swan Lane. This also includes Merstow Green Car Park, Market Square and Bridge Street.
Northbound traffic will not be able to travel though the town centre but access is still available for people using the leisure centre and for parking on Crown Meadow. Abbey Lane will remain open and Merstow Green will be made two-way to allow access to Boat Lane and Merstow Place.
Southbound traffic will be diverted down Oat Street. Mill Bank will be made two-way with traffic being sent over Workman Bridge before turning right onto Waterside to continue southbound.
Market Square and Merstow Green Car Park will be closed and all vehicles must be removed from 7pm next Friday.
Bridge Street will remain open until 7am on June 16 but all vehicles must be removed by 7.30am and exit right onto the High Street.
Once the race is underway, roads on and around the race route will be closed for a period of 30 minutes at each location, 15 minutes before the arrival of riders and 15 minutes after.
Coun Gerry O’Donnell, portfolio holder for Community Development, Culture and Sport, said: “The 2018 OVO Energy Women’s Tour is the pinnacle of women’s professional road cycling in the UK. The women involved are fantastic role models for budding cyclists across the country and really promote the importance of health and well-being.
“We are proud to bring stage four of the popular race to the picturesque town of Evesham and I am sure spectators will not be disappointed.”
ITV4 will be providing television coverage of the race and highlights are scheduled to air at 8pm on the same day.
The OVO Energy Women’s Tour 2018 will run from June 13 to June 17, kicking off in Framlingham and finishing in Colwyn Bay.
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/womens-tour for more information.
