University of Northampton announced as Women’s Tour stage partners

​The University of Northampton has been announced as a partner for stage one of the inaugural Women’s Tour cycling event.​

Stage one of the Women’s Tour will take place in Northamptonshire next month (7th May). The event will bring women’s cycling to the UK in the country’s first ever international stage-race, with over 100 of the best female riders, including past and current Olympic medallists and World Champions competing to become the first-ever Women’s Tour champion.

The entire first stage takes place in Northamptonshire on Wednesday 7th May, starting with the Grand Depart in Oundle and the stage finish later that day in the centre of Northampton.

On the following day (Thursday 8th May) the second stage will also pass through Northamptonshire, from Welford to Wollaston.

The Women’s Tour is created by SweetSpot Group, the company also behind the Tour of Britain. SweetSpot is working with Northamptonshire County Council to bring the event to the county.

Northamptonshire County Council deputy leader Councillor Heather Smith said: “I am very pleased that the University of Northampton has come on board to help us make this exciting event a success.

“Hosting the first stage of the first-ever Women’s Tour will be an inspiring and memorable event, and it’s a real opportunity for us to promote cycling and the benefits of a more active lifestyle to everyone in the county, including the 14,000 university students who life and study here.

“Since the Olympics, half a million women have become involved in new forms of physical activity, including cycling, and in Northamptonshire, we hope to motivate even more.”

University of Northampton Vice-Chancellor, Nick Petford, said: “The University of Northampton is proud to be a part of the first-ever Women’s Tour cycling event to be held in the UK. It is fantastic that Northamptonshire was chosen to host the first stage of the Women’s Tour. The University of Northampton believes that being involved with a sporting activity is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. To encourage our students to be involved in an active lifestyle, the University, in partnership with the Students’ Union offers free sport to all students who wish to participate.