Tour of Britain Women 2024: Route, road closures and best places to see riders around Greater Manchester

Riders taking part in the Women’s Tour of Britain will be hitting the streets of Greater Manchester this weekend. The region will host the final stage of the 2024 event on Sunday June 9. 

The route around Greater Manchester is over 100km in total, and kicks off in Manchester. It will then head out and around the region, finishing in Leigh. It is set to start around 11.15am with riders crossing the finish line at approximately 2.05pm.

Greater Manchester stage route

The stage begins at the heart of British cycling, the National Cycling Centre. This iconic venue sets a prestigious tone for the day, sending riders off on a route that combines steep ascents, rapid descents, and strategic challenges.

Riders head out from Manchester towards the Pennines, facing rolling terrain that serves as a prelude to the more significant climbs ahead. The initial kilometres are crucial for positioning as teams prepare for the upcoming challenges.

The first key climb of the day is a 2.72 km ascent from Delph to Grains Bar. This climb, with a 5.5% gradient, comes early in the race and will be a test of strength for those looking to make an early impact.

As the race progresses towards the finish, an intermediate sprint in Horwich adds another layer of potential excitement. Positioned 24 km from the finish, this sprint could influence the points classification.

The final section of the race includes several technical and fast descents leading into Leigh. The terrain remains challenging with short climbs that can still impact the race outcome.

Greater Manchester road closures

Rolling road closure will be in place across the region. This will be the case throughout race day. 

Bolton 

• Ramsbottom Road (A676)
• Bury Road (Ramsbottom Road to Borough Boundary)
• Longworth Road
• Scout Road
• Colliers Row Road
• Walker Fold Road
• Chorley old Road
• Church Street (B6226)
• Lee Lane
• Chorley New Road
• Crown Lane
• Station Road
• A6 Blackrod Bypass
• Dark Lane
• Little Scotland
• Bury- between 11.30am and 1pm 
• A56 Whalley Road, Ramsbottom (rolling closure)
• Peel Brow, Ramsbottom (rolling closure)
• Bridge Street, Ramsbottom (rolling closure)
• Carr Street, Ramsbottom (full closure)
• Tanners Street, Ramsbottom (full closure)
• Rawson's Rake, Ramsbottom (full closure)
• The Rake, Ramsbottom (full closure)
• Chapel Lane, Ramsbottom (full closure)
• B6214 Lumb Carr Road/Helmshore Road, Ramsbottom (rolling closure)
• A676 Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom (rolling closure)
• A676 Bolton Road, Hawkshaw, Bury (rolling closure)
• A676 Ramsbottom  Road, Tottington,  Bury (rolling closure)

Manchester- Roads will be closed from 11am to 1pm

• Gibbon Street: from Stuart Street to Alan Turing Way
• Alan Turing Way: from Gibbon Street to North Road
• North Road: from Alan Turing Way to Edge Lane
• Edge Lane: from North Road to Millstream Lane
• Millstream Lane: up to Green Lane and then on into Oldham District

Oldham

• Dobcross New Road A6052
• Delph New Road A6052
• The Sound A6052, Delph
• Millgate A6052, Delph
• Grains Road B6197, Delph
• Buckstones Road B6197, Shaw
• Grains Road, Shaw
• Beal Lane, Shaw
• Rochdale Road B6194

Rochdale- between 11am and 4pm 

• New Broad Lane
• Oldham Road from its junction with Broad Lane to its junction with Wood Street
• Wood Street
• Molesworth Street
• John Street
• St Mary’s Gate from the signalled junction with Yorkshire Street to its junction with Newgate
• Spotland Road
• Edenfield Road
• Rochdale Road, Ramsbottom, from its boundary with Greater Manchester to its junction with Bury Road
• Bury Road, Ramsbottom, from its junction with Rochdale Road to its merging with Bury Road
• Bury Road, Ramsbottom, from its merging with Bury Road to its boundary with Greater Manchester

How can I watch the Tour of Britain Women 2024 on TV? 

Stage four of the event in Greater Manchester will be broadcast live on British Cycling’s Youtube channel from 11am on race day. You’ll also be able to follow the action from 12pm on Discovery+

Can I go out and watch the race? 

Yes you can. Bury Council has recommended the following viewing points for their part of the race.

• Along Whalley Road, Ramsbottom
• Ramsbottom town centre
• Rawson's Rake, Holcombe Village
• Junction at Pot Green/Hare and Hounds Public House
• Hawkshaw Village