Deignan, Henderson headline Great Britain squad for new-look Tour of Britain Women

British Cycling has unveiled a star-studded Great Britain squad to line up on the new-look Tour of Britain Women on June 6-9.

The workforce will carry collectively British riders from throughout the peloton on the Women’s WorldTour stage race, with large names together with Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek) and Anna Henderson (Visma-Lease A Bike) among the many six-rider choice.

Joining Deignan and Henderson within the squad is one other Lidl-Trek racer, Elynor Bäckstedt, plus 2016 Olympic gold medallist Elinor Barker (Uno-X Mobility) and Fenix-Deceuninck riders Millie Couzens and Flora Perkins.

“We are delighted to have the ability to affirm such a powerful Great Britain Cycling Team for the inaugural Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women,” mentioned British Cycling efficiency director Stephen Park.

“We know that the workforce will relish the uncommon alternative to race at dwelling, and for the Paris hopefuls among the many squad, the occasion will play a vital function within the ultimate preparations for the Games. We know that they’re going to add actual energy and stardust to the race and anticipate followers might be out in drive to indicate their help.”

With energy in depth, the workforce appears to be like to be among the many strongest set to line up on the June race, dealing with off towards WWT squads together with SD Worx-Protime, DSM-Firmenich PostNL, Jayco-AlUla, and Human Powered Health.

Wit Bäckstedt and Barker each hailing from Wales, they may doubtless notably get pleasure from racing the opening two phases within the northern a part of the nation. 

“It’s all the time extremely particular to race on dwelling soil the place the power and help from the crowds is unparalleled,” Barker mentioned. “For me personally, I’m notably excited that two of the phases might be hosted in Wales on some iconic roads, which is able to undoubtedly make for a difficult and aggressive race.

“The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women comes at an essential time in our preparations for an enormous summer season of biking. I feel I communicate for the entire squad once I say we’re extraordinarily motivated to placed on an excellent present in June – we won’t wait.”

The Tour of Britain Women is now beneath the management of British Cycling after the previous organiser of each ladies’s and males’s occasions, SweetSpot, misplaced the precise to run them, reportedly over unpaid race licence charges. 

The new-look race, again following a yr off the calendar after SweetSpot had didn’t safe sponsorship for the 2023 version, now enjoys title backing from Lloyds Bank, and might be run beneath the directorship of former Ineos Grenadiers deputy Rod Ellingworth.

“It’s been a monumental effort by the entire workforce over the previous 10 weeks to verify the phases for this yr’s Tour of Britain Women,” Ellingworth mentioned because the race route was introduced in April.

“The race will soak up 4 aggressive and difficult routes, some difficult climbing in Wales and what I’m positive might be good crowds on the roadside all through.”

The 2024 Tour of Britain Women will begin with a stage from Welshpool to Llandudno on June 6 earlier than internet hosting a stage in Wrexham the following day and shifting throughout the border for stage 3 in Warrington. The closing fourth stage might be held on the National Cycling Centre in Leigh.