Southend is set to stage its firs ever leg of the world renowned cycling event, The Women’s Tour.

The fourth stage of the Women’s Tour is due to be held in south Essex in October.

Bosses were forced to reschedule this year’s event after the initial dates in June were moved due to Covid restrictions.

The official route has now been declared, and will see riders set off from Shoebury and cross the finishing line in Westcliff.

Here is everything we know about the event:

What is the route?

As mentioned, the 117.5km starts from East Beach in Shoebury.

It will then head north to Little Wakering before turning west onto Great Wakering and up to Rochford.

Competitors will pass through Great Stambridge, Canewdon, Ashingdon and onto Battlesbridge before they will then complete a circuit of the Maldon district.

They will eventually be brought back to Battlesbridge where they will head south through Rawreth and onto Rayleigh, onwards to Leigh, down through Chawkwell and finally crossing the line on Western Esplanade in Westcliff.

How can I watch?

Members of the public will be able to line the route and watch from their place of choosing.

For those wanting to get up close to the action, organisers have announced a VIP package which features a ‘breakfast club’ in Shoebury.

This will take place ahead of the event and will allow you to meet some of the riders and listen to interviews.

You can also sign up to the Tour Enclosure package which provides a prime viewing location near the finishing line, a complimentary buffet, access to a bar and big screens to watch the race on.

What is the Women’s Tour?

For those not in the know, the Women’s Tour is an annual competition that is seen by many as Britain's most prestigious women's cycling race.

Established in 2014, it forms part of the prestigious UCI Women's WorldTour.

This year’s competition features six stages/ races which are:

1. Bicester to Banbury

2. Walsall

3. Atherstone

4. Shoebury to Southend

5. Colchester to Clacton

6. Haverhill to Felixstowe

It begins on October 4 and the races will take place on consecutive days. This means the Southend leg will take place on October 7.

Speaking last month about the race coming to Southend, the council’s tourism boss Carole Mulroney said: "This is a fantastic event which will bring some of the world’s best cyclists here and is certain to be exhilarating.

“I hope that by hosting this event, young people in the area will find and grow a passion for cycling, and I cannot wait to welcome the riders to the borough.”

What have bosses said?

Southend Council is hopeful the event will inspire residents to get cycling around the town.

Environment, culture, tourism and planning boss Carole Mulroney said: “I am thrilled to announce that Southend will be hosting stage four of the prestigious Women’s Tour.

“This is a fantastic event which will bring some of the world’s best cyclists here and is certain to be exhilarating.

“I hope that by hosting this event, young people in the area will find and grow a passion for cycling, and I cannot wait to welcome the riders to the borough.”

Read more:

Jonathan Durling, partnerships director at the Women’s Tour, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Southend to the Women’s Tour in 2021 for what promises to be a challenging day of racing.

“One of our aims this year was to showcase the best of Britain and by bringing the event to Southend, with its unforgettable coastline, world-famous pier and cultural hotspots, I think we’ve ticked that box once again.

“To accomplish this, particularly given the challenges of the past year, is testament to the work Southend Borough Council have put in behind the scenes.”