Thousands of spectators gathered across Cumberland on Wednesday 19 August to watch the opening stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, enjoying a day of world-class cycling as the race passed through communities across the area.
The opening stage of Britain's biggest professional women's cycle race started and finished in Cockermouth, taking riders on a challenging 158.9km route through west and north Cumberland. The race travelled through Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport, Allonby, Silloth, Abbeytown, Wigton, Caldbeck and Aspatria before returning to Cockermouth for an exciting finish.
The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women is part of partnership agreed between British Cycling and Cumberland Council to grow cycling and tourism links in the region.
Cumbria Combined Authority also provided support for the event.
Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes claimed victory in the opening stage sprint, taking the first leader’s jersey of the race. Italy’s Chiara Consonni finished second, while Britain’s Josie Nelson secured third place.
The event attracted large crowds throughout the day, with spectators gathering across the route to cheer on the riders. It also offered a chance to look ahead to an even bigger cycling spectacle, as visitors to the Cockermouth fan zone were able to see the Tour de France Grand Départ trophy and learn more about plans for 2027.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer said:
"It was fantastic to see so many people out supporting the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women’s Race. From the crowds lining the route to the atmosphere in Cockermouth, the event created a real sense of excitement and showcased the warm welcome that Cumberland is known for. I would like to thank everyone involved in delivering such a successful event, from the organisers to those who came out to watch.
“Events like this show what a fantastic host Cumberland can be for major sporting events. The enthusiasm we have seen this week has only added to the excitement as we continue looking ahead to welcoming the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2027."
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, added:
“The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women’s Race has been a fantastic opportunity for people across Cumberland to enjoy world-class sport on their doorstep. Events like this can help encourage more people to get active and take an interest in cycling, particularly young girls who can see female athletes competing at the highest level.
“With the Tour de France Grand Départ coming to Cumberland in 2027, we have another exciting opportunity to inspire people of all ages to get involved in cycling and physical activity. We hope the enthusiasm we've seen for both events helps create a lasting interest in sport and encourages more people to give it a go."
The successful hosting of the race marks another important milestone as Cumberland prepares to welcome the Tour de France in July 2027. The race will return to the UK for the first time in more than a decade, beginning in Edinburgh before finishing its opening stage in Carlisle on Friday 2 July. Riders will then depart from Keswick on Stage Two, travelling through the Lake District and Lancashire on their way to Liverpool.
Preparations for the Tour de France Grand Départ are already well underway, and organisers are now recruiting thousands of volunteers to help deliver the event.
Applications are open for JOY Maker volunteers, with opportunities available across all six stages of the event. Volunteers will play a key role in creating a memorable experience for riders, visitors and communities as one of the world's biggest sporting events comes to the UK.
Anyone interested in getting involved has until Tuesday 1 September 2026 to register their interest. To find out more and apply, visit Tour de France Grand Départ volunteer information.
Photo credit: Stuart Walker