Aviva Women's Tour to boost Kenilworth and Warwick's economies

Big boosts to Kenilworth and Warwick's economies are expected when the Aviva Women's Tour comes to the two towns on Thursday June 16.
Hannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team with Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr Mandy Littlejohn at Warwick CastleHannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team with Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr Mandy Littlejohn at Warwick Castle
Hannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team with Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr Mandy Littlejohn at Warwick Castle

The race is estimated to attract thousands of spectators and tourists to the towns and the rest of Warwickshire when the tour arrives.

Cllr Philip Johnson, Chair of Warwickshire County Council’s Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: “The fact that the tour will go directly through Kenilworth and Warwick’s town centres and pass their magnificent castles will undoubtedly bring a further tourism and economic boost to the county.”

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The news comes after the Warwickshire stage of the elite cycling race was officially launched at Kenilworth and Warwick Castles by professional cyclist Hannah Payton, who represents the West Midlands-based Drops Cycling Team.

Hannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team with Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr Michael Coker at Kenilworth CastleHannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team with Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr Michael Coker at Kenilworth Castle
Hannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team with Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr Michael Coker at Kenilworth Castle

Hannah was joined at the launch by leader of Warwickshire County Council Cllr Izzi Seccombe at the two castles, along with mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Michael Coker at Kenilworth Castle and mayor of Warwick Cllr Mandy Littlejohn at Warwick Castle.

Cllr Seccombe said: “Warwickshire is a brand new venue for the Aviva Women’s Tour and I am delighted that it is visiting the county for the first time.

“It is marvellous news that some of the world’s leading female cyclists will ride through Kenilworth and Warwick town centres, with their famous castles, and that we will have an opportunity to showcase the county’s vast history and heritage.”

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Cllr Coker said: “Kenilworth is looking forward to the arrival of the Aviva Women’s Tour, particularly to the sprint that will take place along Warwick Road. It is an honour for our town to be part of the tour and a tremendous start to a season when we will be commemorating the 750th anniversary of the Siege of Kenilworth Castle.”

Hannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team with Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr Michael Coker at Kenilworth CastleHannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team with Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr Michael Coker at Kenilworth Castle
Hannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team with Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr Michael Coker at Kenilworth Castle

Cllr Littlejohn said: “It is fantastic that the cycle tour is coming through Warwick - it is always great to see our town vibrant with lots of visitors and we all look forward to supporting the day.”

The stage will begin in Atherstone in north Warwickshire when the lead car sets off at 9.45am. The riders will then start the race proper at 10am, and should arrive in Kenilworth between 10.59 and 11.09am depending on the pace of the riders and the weather conditions.

After cycling past Kenilworth Castle, a sprint stage will take place along Warwick Road, where the fastest cyclists on tour will aim to pick up as much points as possible by finishing first.

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After the sprint section, the peloton will head south through Leek Wootton and Guys Cliffe before arriving in Warwick between 11.14 and 11.27am.

Once the cyclists leave Warwick, they will have to compete with some of Warwickshire’s highest points including Edge Hill before they eventually finish in Stratford between 1.34 and 2.19pm.