When it comes to women’s road races in the UK, the Lloyds Women’s Tour of Britain remains the benchmark. Running from 5–8 June, this four-stage Women’s World Tour event will see the world’s best riders take on just under 424 kilometres of some of the hardest roads the North East has to offer.
Look at the past winners – Kopecky, Vos, Longo Borghini, Vollering – and you get an idea of the calibre. Narrow roads, unpredictable weather, constant up-and-down, it’s a race that brings the strongest and sharpest riders to the fore.
The 2025 event will stick to the same formula: four stages through north-east England and the south-east Scotland.
Here is Cycling247’s guide to what’s coming, who to watch, and how to follow it live.
Stage 1 – Thursday 5 June
Dalby Forest to Redcar, 81.5 km
A punchy opening stage through some of the most-ridden roads around the North York Moors, this will be a nervous day for the riders. They’ll head out from Dalby Forest into short, steep climbs and heavy roads. There are two notable climbs – Blakey Ridge (6 km at 4%) and Langburns Bank (2 km at 5%) – before heading down for a fast finish on the coast in Redcar, where we expect a reduced peloton coming in for a sprint.
This one won’t decide the race, but riders with bad legs – or bad luck – might see their ambitions unravel early. Don’t look away for a minute during this one.
Stage 2 – Friday 6 June
Hartlepool to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, 120.9 km
Rolling out through the Tees Valley and brushing the edge of Middlesbrough, this stage is definitely weighted towards the back end. It’s likely to come alive on the two finishing circuits, which feature the tough climb back up from the coast in Saltburn-by-the-Sea: 1.5 km at 4.5% with a nasty 300-metre section at 15%. Expect fireworks.
Stage 3 – Saturday 7 June
The Scottish Borders Stage, Kelso to Kelso, 143.8 km
With a shark-tooth profile through the Scottish Borders featuring constant ups, downs and direction changes, it’ll be a stage of attrition. Nothing long, but almost nothing flat. If any day reshapes the general classification, it’s this one, so expect big shifts in the overall and a proper battle for control.
Stage 4 – Sunday 8 June
The Glasgow Stage, 84 km
Ten urban laps of 8.4 km through Glasgow. Think short and technical. With numerous turns and a climb on repeat, what happens here really depends on the conditions and how it is ridden. If the overall is locked in on the previous stage, expect a fight for stage honours and the points classification. If the weather is wet or time gaps on the overall are tight, this could be one of the most dramatic finales we’ve seen. Expect a reduced group coming to the finish. If you’re going to watch anything, prioritize the final two laps.
Riders to watchÂ
The start list looks strong, with plenty for British fans to get excited about. Among the big names, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig – everyone’s favourite Danish climber – returns, still searching for top form this year. Kristen Faulkner, the newly crowned American Road Race Champion and reigning Olympic Champion, adds more firepower to the line-up. Both are serious contenders.
But the real favourites? Kimberly Pienaar comes in as a hot rider to beat, fresh off her win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège earlier this year. Lorena Wiebes will show up in the European Champion’s jersey with no fewer than nine victories in 2025 already to her name and we’re only halfway into the season. And Elisa Balsamo – the 2021 World Road Race Champion – brings consistency and race smarts that few can match.
Home hopefuls
But it’s the British names that will get the biggest reception.
Lizzie Deignan, a two-time Tour winner in 2016 and 2019, lines up for her final home race before retirement. Her season has been steady this year, but with local roads and home support, this could be the perfect stage for the Lizzie-of-old to give a farewell flourish – or at least a masterclass in teamwork from one of Britain’s most decorated riders.
Then there’s the new generation: Cat Ferguson, just 18, is already turning heads after winning the Navarra Women’s Elite Classics recently. She’ll be joined by a host of emerging British riders from what is arguably the strongest crop of young talent we’ve seen in years.
With short stages, narrow roads, and steep climbs, the rider who wins the 2025 Women’s Tour of Britain will have to be near-perfect and fully switched on over four intense days. The time gaps will be tight and the opportunities will be few, but it’s likely to be some of the best racing we’ll see all season.
How to watch
Eurosport / Discovery+ will have roughly two hours of daily coverage as well as stage highlights. Â Â
