World class bike racing set to return to the Scottish Borders this summer
The women's Tour of Britain is gearing up to visit Scotland for first time...
Last updated 16th Apr 2025
The Scottish Borders will host the penultimate leg of the women's Tour of Britain cycling race for the first time this summer.
The event will start and finish in Kelso on Saturday, June the 7th, and take in a spectator-friendly route around the Eildon Hills - which will see riders pass through Melrose, Denholm, and Jedburgh.
It follows the success of the men's event, which last year is estimated to have help generate around £2.48million for the local economy
Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Economic Growth and Developing the Borders, said: “It is incredible for the region to be hosting yet another world class cycling event, building on the ten Tour of Britain Men’s race visits over the past 16 years and the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
“The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women will bring the world’s best riders to the Borders for a full day of action. That will attract visitors from far and wide, which supports our local economy, and hopefully getting up close to the race will help to inspire more local people, especially women and girls, to get back on their bikes or take up cycling.
“Last year’s men’s event had a £2.48million impact on the area and I am sure that we will see a really significant impact from this event in June.”
Full details of Stage Three of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, including Queen of the Mountains and Sprint locations, are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Handsling Alba Development Road Team rider Lauren Dickson, who hails from Edinburgh, said: “I am thrilled that the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women is coming to our home roads. Racing against a WorldTour peloton in Scotland will be such a unique experience and is a huge target for me.
"Watching the Tour of Britain Men in Kelso last year was very inspiring – especially seeing my partner race – I’m really excited that we’re getting that opportunity this year!”
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Following the Scottish Borders stage the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women concludes in Glasgow on Sunday, June 8th, where the successor to 2024 champion Lotte Kopecky will be crowned, after a circuit race, starting and finishing on Glasgow Green.
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Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, said: “From scenic road routes to world-class mountain biking trails, Scotland is a must-visit destination for cyclists of all levels. As a world-leading tourism and events destination, we are thrilled to be welcoming the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women 2025 to Scotland for the first time.
“The Scottish Borders and Glasgow will provide the perfect stage for the final two stages of the race. Starting and finishing in Kelso’s historic Town Square, the penultimate leg of the race will take in some of the most scenic landscapes of the Scottish Borders, while the final stage in Glasgow will showcase the striking architecture of Scotland’s largest city.”
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Scottish Cycling Chief Executive Officer Nick Rennie added: “It is long overdue that the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women will visit Scotland, so I’m delighted we have two stages north of the border in 2025.
"As we saw last year with the men’s race, Kelso knows how to stage a bike race, with brilliant crowds and a true sporting course. Similarly, a final stage in Glasgow will bring back memories of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, and once again expose the people of Scotland to world class bike racing."
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