Aviva Women’s Tour: The final leg

Hundreds of the world’s best female cycling competitors will roll into town this weekend on the final leg of the Aviva Women’s Tour.
Competitors in the second leg of the Aviva Women's Tour in June 2015Competitors in the second leg of the Aviva Women's Tour in June 2015
Competitors in the second leg of the Aviva Women's Tour in June 2015

Sportswomen from across the globe – including much of Europe, Canada and New Zealand – are joining the best women cyclists from Great Britain, including Olympic gold medallist Laura Trott, to be first across the finish line in Gadebridge Park on Sunday afternoon.

But Commonwealth Games Road Race Champion Lizzie Armistead took a tumble just seconds after winning the first stage in Suffolk on Wednesday, and had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the race in order to recover from her injuries.

The winner is expected to cross the line around 2pm on Sunday, but while spectators wait they can enjoy the fun activities in the park from 11am.

Last year, more than 25,000 people turned out to witness the finale of the men’s cycle tour, and it is hoped that number will be topped this year to give Dacorum’s economy a boost.

To build on the atmosphere of the event, Dacorum Borough Council has organised a variety of cycling activities, fairground rides, food and drink stalls and a community fair.

The 64-mile race will have a knock-on effect on traffic and it is expected that there will be a delay of up to one hour along the route from Tring to Berkhamsted on the day.

The section of Leighton Buzzard Road between Warners End Road roundabout and Galley Hill/Link Road roundabout will be closed for 24 hours from 8pm Saturday 20 June to 8pm Sunday 21 June.

The finish line, A4146 Leighton Buzzard Road, just before Coombe Street roundabout will be closed from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

For the rest of the route there will be small delays of approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

The race operates on a rolling road closure system, so the road is closed just before the riders arrive and is opened as soon as they have passed through.

For more information, visit the Dacorum Borough Council website here

For race highlights, tune into ITV4 at 8pm tonight, tomorrow and Sunday.