North Powys to host Tour of Britain Women stage

Llanidloes will host the start of a stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women this summer, bringing one of the world’s most prestigious women’s cycling races to north Powys less than a year before the Tour de France arrives in the county.

British Cycling has confirmed that stage four of the UCI Women’s WorldTour race will start in Llanidloes on Saturday, August 22, before heading across Powys to finish in Hay-on-Wye.

The announcement puts north Powys firmly in the cycling spotlight and comes as the county prepares to host part of the Tour de France Grand Départ in July 2027, when Welshpool will welcome the start of stage three of the world’s biggest cycle race.

While Powys has featured on Tour of Britain routes before, both Llanidloes and Hay-on-Wye will host stage starts and finishes for the first time.

The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women is the UK’s leading women’s stage race and forms part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar, attracting many of the world’s top riders and teams.

The event is expected to bring thousands of spectators to Powys, with organisers highlighting the economic and tourism benefits of hosting major cycling events. Research commissioned by British Cycling found that the 2025 men’s and women’s Tour of Britain races generated a combined economic impact of £62.3 million for host areas across the UK.

The race is also expected to serve as a major warm-up for Powys ahead of the Tour de France’s arrival next year, giving local authorities, businesses and communities experience of hosting a large-scale international cycling event.

Councillor Glyn Preston, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome stage four of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women to Powys.

“It is a huge honour and gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful county and bring economic benefits to our communities through increased tourism.

“With thousands of spectators expected and worldwide media coverage, it will be a boon for local businesses and the visitor economy, while also inspiring more people to get active and enjoy cycling.

“As we look ahead to hosting part of the Tour de France’s Grand Départ in 2027, events like this help position Powys firmly on the map as a premier destination for major sporting events.”

The hosting of the race forms part of a wider partnership between British Cycling, the Welsh Government, Powys County Council, Flintshire County Council and Conwy County Borough Council aimed at growing cycling participation and tourism in Wales.

Jonathan Day, Director of Events for British Cycling Ventures, said the women’s race would help launch a summer of elite cycling.

“We are excited to be bringing the prestigious Lloyds Tour of Britain Women to these fantastic locations in August,” he said.

“We are bringing new hosts and stages in Mold, Llanidloes and Hay-on-Wye, and it is fantastic to return to previous hosts of the Tour.

“On behalf of British Cycling Ventures, I would like to say a huge thank you to our partners across the five stages for supporting the hosting and delivery of this August’s landmark race and enabling us to bring a memorable and action packed five days of world class racing to their communities.”

Residents across north Powys are also being encouraged to get involved in the event by volunteering. British Cycling has opened expressions of interest for people who would like to help with race operations, marshalling and spectator support during what is described as the UK’s largest free-to-watch sporting event.

The full route for the Llanidloes to Hay-on-Wye stage has yet to be announced, with organisers expected to reveal further details in the coming weeks.

The 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women will feature five stages, beginning in Cockermouth on August 19 before travelling through Lancashire and North Wales. The race concludes in Royal Leamington Spa on August 23.

For Llanidloes, the event is a rare opportunity to showcase the town and the surrounding area to an international audience. For Powys, it offers an early taste of the attention and economic opportunities that could follow when the Tour de France rolls into Welshpool in 2027.