ONE of the world’s largest cycling events is set to come to Colchester. 

The city will be the finishing line for stage one of the Ride London Classique cycle event. 

The event is part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour and will see some the globe's best female riders taking to the streets of Essex. 

The event, spanning three days, will have two legs in the county, before finishing in London.

Stage one will be held in Saffron Walden, seeing cyclists embark on an 150km journey to Colchester, finishing the day on top of East Hill.

This leg will be held on Friday, May 26.

Stage two will be held in Maldon, as cyclists pedal a 140km journey starting and finishing in the town. The second leg will be held on Saturday, May 27.

The final stage will then take place in London, for a grand finale. 

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Scott Sunderland, Ford RideLondon Classique race director, said: “The 2023 Ford RideLondon Classique will once again showcase both the beauty and history of Essex in the first two stages before concluding with a stunning finale in the heart of London on some of the most famous streets in the world.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Saffron Walden, Colchester and Maldon to come out and see the world’s best female riders racing through their streets and we thank Uttlesford Council, Colchester Council and Maldon District Council for helping to make this possible."

The news comes after the city played host to stage one of The Women’s Tour in June last year.

Julie Young, Colchester Council's communities boss, said: “Throughout 2023 we’re holding celebratory events to mark the first year of Colchester being named a modern city, as everyone comes together for The Year of Celebration.

“I know residents, businesses and schools will join me on the day to celebrate and we look forward to working with RideLondon to put on the best event.” 

Penny Channer, leader of Maldon District Council, added: “I am pleased to see that this prestigious women’s Ford RideLondon Classique race will be returning to our district on Saturday, May 27. 

"I hope that the whole community will turn out in force to support this wonderful spectacle and cheer on the world’s best female cyclists as they race through our district and reach the finish line in Maldon."