16 teams to race at inaugural Women's Tour in May

More than a dozen top women’s teams will compete in the inaugural Women’s Tour in May, race organizers announced Monday.

Eleven squads from eight different countries are confirmed to ride in the five-day race in Great Britain that starts May 7. The full startlist, which will include 16 teams and 96 riders, has yet to be announced.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring such a world-class field of teams to ride in the first ever Women’s Tour,” organizer Guy Elliott of SweetSpot Group said in a press release. “The race has attracted a wonderful field of elite riders from all over the world, which will be one of the strongest fields ever assembled for an elite women’s international race, and a route which will feature some of the most beautiful roads, villages, towns and countryside in Great Britain.”

Marianne Vos and the Rabo Liv squad will compete for the overall title, and they’ll be joined by Orica-AIS, Boels Dolmans, Specialized-lululemon, and the Wiggle Honda team of British Olympians Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell, and Dani King.

Also slated to start is British domestic team Matrix Fitness, UnitedHealthcare, and Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies.

Confirmed teams

Astana Bepink Women’s Team (ITA)
Boels Dolmans Cycling Team (NED)
Estado de Mexico Faren (MEX)
Great Britain (GBR)
Hitec Products (NOR)
Lotto Belisol Ladies (BEL)
Matrix Fitness-Vulpine (GBR)
Netherlands (NED)
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
Orica-AIS (AUS)
Rabo Liv Women’s Cycling Team (NED)
Specialized-lululemon (USA)
UnitedHealthcare (USA)
Wiggle Honda (GBR)

2014 Women’s Tour

Stage 1: May 7, Oundle to Northampton
Stage 2: May 8, Hinckley to Bedford
Stage 3: May 9, Felixstowe to Clacton
Stage 4: May 10, Cheshunt to Welwyn Garden City
Stage 5: May 11, Harwich to Bury St. Edmunds