OVO Energy Women's Tour bike race at Gravesend Cyclopark
09:05, 11 June 2019
updated: 10:11, 11 June 2019
The UK's biggest women's bike race is taking place today for the first time.
Riders will head to Cyclopark in Watling Street, Gravesend, for the second stage of the OVO Energy Women's Tour.
The world's best cyclists will tackle a 62.5km kermesse, over 25 laps, as the county hosts it's biggest international sporting event since the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2007.
The race is set to start at 2pm and finish just at around 3.40pm - it is the second of six stages.
Anyone interested in heading along to watch are advised not to drive as parking is limited.
Race director Mick Bennett said: “Although this is the first stage in race history to take place in Kent, we’re certainly hoping that it won’t be the last.
"The prospect of a kermesse at Cyclopark may look less challenging than what else features in this year’s route but the thousands of amateurs who race there year in, year out, will tell you that the circuit is harder than it looks.
"It’s going to be a spectator-friendly, fast and furious race for the line.
“This is also the easiest stage for our European fans to join us at, so it would be great to think that many of them will make the trip across the channel and watch the world’s best in action as the battle for the OVO Energy green jersey heats up.”
Cyclopark opened in 2012 and hosted the National Cyclo-Cross Championships earlier this year.
British Cycling chief executive Julie Harrington said: “We are delighted that the second stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour will take place at Cyclopark in Gravesend.
“Having delivered a fantastic National Cyclo-Cross Championships earlier this year, it is clear just how much of a vital asset Cyclopark is both to the health of the sport in Britain and the thousands of locals in Kent who benefit from the facility all year round.”
