Women’s Tour will be broadcast live for the first time in 2021
Lizzie Deignan says ‘live television coverage will really take it to the next level’


The Women’s Tour will be broadcast live for the first time in 2021, as the race announces a new partnership with Eurosport and GCN.
Britain’s only WorldTour stage race will now reach a bigger audience than ever before as it will be given live coverage this year for the first time in the race’s history.
The organiser of the Women’s Tour and the Tour of Britain, SweetSpot, has signed a new five-year deal with Eurosport and the Global Cycling Network (GCN) to show both events across its digital platforms and channels, while both races will also be available on ITV in the UK.
Each stage of the six-stage Women’s Tour will broadcast live along with preview shows, features and analysis, helping the prestigious event reach a wider audience.
British star rider Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo), winner of the 2019 Women’s Tour, said: “The Women’s Tour is already a highlight of the Women’s WorldTour calendar with fantastic crowds and support in the UK but to add live television coverage will really takes it to the next level.
“It’s great to see the race has partnered with Eurosport and GCN and it being live means there will be even more exciting racing throughout and adds to the already brilliant atmosphere. The race is even more special to me as it is where I won my first World Tour race following the birth of my daughter Orla and also with my Trek-Segafredo team in 2019. I hope to be able to defend my title there this year.”
After the cancellation of the 2020 event due to coronavirus, the 2021 Women’s Tour is set to run from June 7-12, with the peloton racing between Oxfordshire and Suffolk.
The seven-stage Tour of Britain will run from September 5-12 this year, starting from Penzance in Cornwall and finishing in Aberdeen, with the full route set to be announced later this year.
Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of SweetSpot, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Eurosport and GCN in 2021 and beyond to enhance the programming for our existing events and explore opportunities for growth.
“Eurosport’s and GCN’s incredible reach has helped spread the awareness of the Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour worldwide and, with the addition of the GCN+ to their portfolio, we’re confident of both enhancing our coverage of these races and creating more interactive viewing experiences for cycling fans.
“After a challenging year for everybody, the continuation of this partnership is also great news for all of our partners and regional stakeholders, who will continue to benefit from the exposure that SweetSpot’s events provide.”
Eurosport will now broadcast both races across Europe, African, Asia, North America, Oceania and South America.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Giro d'Italia 2022 standings: Results from the 105th edition after stage 19
The latest standings from the 105th edition of the Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Koen Bouwman climbs to victory on stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia as Richard Carapaz stays in pink
Dutchman wins second stage and all but secures mountains classification in process
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Could a lack of live TV threaten the Women’s Tour’s place on the WorldTour?
£400,000 bill for live TV is prohibitive for organisers, who intend to have live coverage for 2022
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Demi Vollering wins the Women’s Tour GC as Balsamo takes her first win as world champion
Stage three time trial the key to Vollering's first top tier stage race victory
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Lorena Wiebes makes it two from two on stage five of the Women's Tour 2021
The Dutch rider clearly likes to be beside the seaside, winning another bunch sprint while Vollering retains the GC lead
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Lorena Wiebes loses sprint train but still powers to stage four victory at Women's Tour 2021
The 11th victory of the year for the dominant sprinter
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Amy Pieters takes stage two of Women's Tour win from a small group
Clara Copponi inherits the overall lead after an aggressive day's racing in Walsall
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Bastianelli takes sprint win and overall lead on the Women's Tour stage one
The Italian sprinter powered clear to take the win after a crash marred final
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Women’s Tour postponed due to uncertainty around the pandemic
Organiser Sweetspot is confident the race can happen and has applied for the six-day race to be held in October
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Women’s Tour will not be rescheduled for 2020
The 2020 Women’s Tour has been abandoned due to the coronavirus crisis.
By Alex Ballinger • Published