THE world’s top female cyclists will race between Colchester and Clacton as the prestigious Women’s Tour returns to north Essex today.

Almost 100 riders will battle it out on the roads for the stage win - the fifth of six stages - and to position themselves in the overall race, which finishes on Saturday.

From 11.30am the route takes the peloton from Colchester’s Northern Gateway Sports Park and through the historic town centre before the riders pedal out of the borough to Ardleigh and Great Bromley.

 

They will then ride on to Clacton, via Elmstead Market, before completing a loop of Tendring district.

A rolling road closure will be put in place along the majority of the 95.3km route – meaning streets will be open either side of the event as riders head to the finish line.

A full road closure will be in place from 5am until 8pm along Marine Parade West and part of West Road, Clacton, to facilitate the finish line and event.

Gazette:

Route - the stage 5 route from Colchester to Clacton

Alternative routes will be available for use as diversions, including the A12, A120, and A133.

The likely timetable will see the event start at Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park at 11.30am, before moving on to Parsons Heath 11.50am, Tenpenny Hill at 12.19pm, Holland-on-Sea at 12.47pm, Mistley at 1.27pm, Manningtree at 1.32pm, Tenpenny Hill at 1.59pm, and finishes at Marine Parade West, Clacton, at 2.20pm.

 

Dutch cyclist Lorena Wiebes won stage four of the contest, from Shoeburyness to Southend, on Thursday.

It was a real sprint for line in the end, with Chiera Consonni coming close behind in second place and Chloe Hosking in third.

ITV4 will be showing highlights at 8pm today.

For detailed timings of the Women’s Tour stage, go to womenstour.co.uk/stages/stage-5/.