This yr’s Women’s Tour is prone to cancellation if recent sponsorship can’t be discovered. Britain’s longest-running main global degree race, which counts Lizzie Deignan, Marianne Vos and Elisa Longo Borghini as former winners, is at risk after the lack of key companions has left a £500,000 shortfall in investment.
Organizers Sweetspot introduced the direction for this June’s race on Thursday, but additionally warned the preferred match “urgently requires additional commercial income for the 2023 edition”. The race went forward and not using a identify sponsor in 2022 and continues to be searching for a lead spouse. Additionally, 3 of the race’s 4 jerseys – the chief, mountains and highest younger rider classifications – are and not using a sponsor, whilst industrial programs stay to be had for particular person phases.
The race may be searching for a car spouse after Skoda exercised a spoil clause to finish their deal on the finish of remaining yr. Sweetspot have a cushy closing date of mid-April to start plugging the space given the wish to start reserving lodging, finalising logistics for the race and confirming plans with native government.
The direction introduced will see the race start with a degree between Stratford-upon-Avon and Royal Leamington Spa on 7 June and conclude with a side road race round Birmingham on 11 June. Stage two will cross from Northampton to Ampthill, Bedfordshire, prior to the queen degree of the race from Dalby Forest to Guisborough by means of the North York Moors, probably the most northerly degree within the race’s historical past. The peloton will then go back to Warwickshire for a degree between Coleshill and Derby prior to the circuit race round Birmingham’s Jewelery Quarter sees the entire victor topped.
It used to be was hoping that Thursday’s direction release may just spark new pastime within the race, and it’s understood organizers have already had some conversations with doable companions within the wake of the announcement and stay positive of the race going forward.
Race director Mick Bennett mentioned: “Given the current economic climate, we have had to work harder than ever before to put together a race befitting of the world’s best teams and riders, so I must thank all of our stakeholders for their continued support of the event.”
