Eleven of the world’s top 14 professional women’s teams have all been confirmed for this year’s inaugural Women’s Tour.
A star-studded field including world champion Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv), British champion Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans) and world number one Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) will take the start line in Oundle on Wednesday May 7.
Wiggle-Honda, Specialized-Lululemon and Emma Pooley’s Lotto-Belisol Ladies team will also start, alongside British domestic team Matrix Fitness-Vulpine and a national squad led by Lucy Garner. Hannah Barnes could also take the start line after her new team, UnitedHealthCare, were confirmed for the race.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring such a world-class field of teams to ride in the first ever Women’s Tour,” said Guy Elliott of organisers SweetSpot.
“The race has attracted a wonderful field of elite riders from all over the world, which will be one of the strongest fields ever assembled for an elite women’s international race.”
Two further international teams will be announced in due course to complete the 16-squad line-up and each team will field six riders.
The five-stage race will start in Oundle, Northamptonshire, and run from Wednesday May 7 to Sunday May 11, with Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk also set to host stages. Daily highlights will be shown on ITV4.
The Women’s Tour 2014 – participating teams
Astana Bepink Women’s Team (ITA)
Boels-Dolmans (NED)
Estado de Mexico Faren (MEX)
Great Britain (GBR)
Hitec Products (NOR)
Lotto Belisol Ladies (BEL)
Matrix Fitness-Vulpine (GBR)
Netherlands (NED)
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
Orica-AIS (AUS)
Rabo Liv Women (NED)
Specialized-Lululemon (USA)
UnitedHealthcare (USA)
Wiggle Honda (GBR)
Plus two teams TBC
