The Women's Tour is expected to bring £1m to Suffolk
The opening stage will finish in Bury St Edmunds
Official Racers of The Women's Cycle Tour
Author: Jasmine OakPublished 21st May 2022 Last updated 21st May 2022
It's hoped the Women's Tour will bring with it a welcome boost to the local economy when it arrives in Suffolk next month.
The county is hosting the opening stage of the international cycling race - it kicks off on Monday 6th June in Colchester with the finish line for day one in Bury St Edmunds.
It's expected to bring around £1m to Suffolk - with spectators travelling from all over to the county, spending money on things like food, drink and accommodation.
People were invited on Friday 20th May to take part in an 18-mile cycle along part of the race route to get a taste of what the professionals will go through.
They started at The Bildeston Crown in Ipswich, where breakfast was ready. The ride finished in Bury St Edmunds, with refreshments waiting for them at the Angel Pub.
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
The Women's Tour is expected to bring £1m to Suffolk
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Racers in the Women's cycle tour
Racers in the Women's cycle tour
Racers in the Women's cycle tour
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Breakfast before the 18 mile bike ride
Breakfast before the 18 mile bike ride
Breakfast before the 18 mile bike ride
Participant in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participant in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participant in the women's cycle tour press ride
Bikes waiting for their riders
Bikes waiting for their riders
Bikes waiting for their riders
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
ITFC Participating in the women's cycle tour press ride
ITFC Participating in the women's cycle tour press ride
ITFC Participating in the women's cycle tour press ride
ITFC enjoying breakfast before the bike ride
ITFC enjoying breakfast before the bike ride
ITFC enjoying breakfast before the bike ride
Beth, who will be in The Women's Cycle Tour
Beth, who will be in The Women's Cycle Tour
Beth, who will be in The Women's Cycle Tour
Racers in the Women's cycle tour
Racers in the Women's cycle tour
Racers in the Women's cycle tour
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Breakfast before the 18 mile bike ride
Breakfast before the 18 mile bike ride
Breakfast before the 18 mile bike ride
Participant in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participant in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participant in the women's cycle tour press ride
Bikes waiting for their riders
Bikes waiting for their riders
Bikes waiting for their riders
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
Participants in the women's cycle tour press ride
ITFC Participating in the women's cycle tour press ride
ITFC Participating in the women's cycle tour press ride
ITFC Participating in the women's cycle tour press ride
ITFC enjoying breakfast before the bike ride
ITFC enjoying breakfast before the bike ride
ITFC enjoying breakfast before the bike ride
Beth, who will be in The Women's Cycle Tour
Beth, who will be in The Women's Cycle Tour
Beth, who will be in The Women's Cycle Tour
Racers in the Women's cycle tour
Racers in the Women's cycle tour
Racers in the Women's cycle tour
Watch: We caught up with Adam Baker at the event to find out more about the benefits of hosting one of the stages:
Where else is the race going?
Stages of the Women's Tour take place all over the country, including two here in the East.
Stage One - Colchester to Bury St Edmunds
Stage Two - Harlow
Stage Three - Tewkesbury to Gloucester
Stage Four - Wrexham to Welshpool
Stage Five - Pembrey Country Park to Black Mountain