Images by Chris Maher, Words by Tour of Britain Women.
Press Release | Lloyds Tour of Britain Women 2025 SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025
LORENA WIEBES VICTORIOUS IN GLASGOW AS ALLY WOLLASTON WINS THE LLOYDS TOUR OF BRITAIN WOMEN
Ally Wollaston (FDJ – Suez) sealed the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women title by the narrowest of margins ahead of Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team), after a blockbuster final stage around the streets of Glasgow, as European champion Lorena Wiebes (Team SDWorx – Protime) secured the final stage victory with a powerful sprint.
Just three seconds separated race leader Ferguson from Wollaston before the start, and the General Classification battle came down to the final corner of the last stage of the four-day race, with nothing separating the two riders in terms of timings. Over the course of the three intermediate sprints, Wollaston had clawed back her deficit by crossing the line first each time ahead of her rival, meaning the New Zealander’s third place stage finish, and subsequent four bonus seconds saw her claim the Lloyds green jersey and the overall race win, her biggest win to date.
Speaking on her General Classification victory in her first Lloyds Tour of Britain Women appearance, Ally Wollaston said:
“I am feeling very overwhelmed, it is so exciting and it really couldn’t have gone any better for me today. I was lucky that there were a lot of seconds up for grabs. The plan was to get as many seconds as I could, and unfortunately Cat [Ferguson] was on my wheel for every single one, so it really came down to the last sprint.
“The team were so amazing today, I really couldn’t have done it without them today. I’m just so grateful for the work that they did. I couldn’t be happier in this team, so I am very grateful for the support I have got over the last four days.
“Mum and Dad will be a bit shocked I imagine. I called them last night and said that the plan was to go for all three bonus sprints, and I said Cat will probably be thinking the same thing! I think they will be super proud back home.”
Wiebes reversed her fortunes after a difficult week, leading the bunch through the final corner with no one able to power past the European champion as she claimed her ninth victory of the season, and extended her winning record in Britain, to now seven stages of the national tour.
After some genteel opening laps around the Glasgow city centre circuit, the first move of the race saw Anna Morris (Great Britain Cycling Team) break off the front of the peloton halfway through the third lap, the Individual Pursuit World Champion using her track talents to make some headway against the bunch, but her attempts were short lived and she was caught by the end of the lap.
At the first intermediate sprint at the end of lap four, Ferguson was the first to begin her sprint but she was passed by Wollaston, who claimed the three bonus seconds, with Ferguson settling for two to leave her advantage at just two seconds. This pattern continued over the following two intermediate sprints on laps six and eight, with Wollaston victorious in both, leaving her level on time with Ferguson, who had to endure a bike change and chase back to the peloton on lap seven.
A thrilling finale was set for the final lap, where bonus seconds of ten, six and four were available for the first three riders across the line respectively, however it was Wiebes who was untouchable for the stage win with a powerful kick out of the final corner, followed by Charlotte Kool (Team Picnic PostNL) with Wollaston earning a vital third place, claiming the final bonus seconds as Ferguson, finishing seventh, missed out on any bonuses.
Ferguson can be consoled by securing victory in the points and young rider classifications, as well as the combativity award for the final stage, with Wollaston’s FDJ-SUEZ team taking the team classification.
Previous green jersey wearer Kristen Faulkner (EF Education – Oatley) was awarded the overall combativity title for the race, in recognition to her attacking racing over the first three stages, though small consolation after befalling misfortune on more than one occasion in Saturday’s stage that ruined her bid for the overall victory.
No Queen of the Mountains points available on the final stage meant that Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) could not lose her lead in that classification, earning her a place on the final podium in the blue jersey.
Points classification winner and General Classification runner up Cat Ferguson said:
“I headed into the final sprint and I was in an ok position but I got a bit chopped up on some corners before, and really that was it, Ally went away and I knew that was it. Of course I am gutted but she was the strongest today.
“I am still happy with second place. If you had told me at the beginning of the week I would have been second, I would have been over the moon, so I can’t be too disappointed. It has been a really good and memorable week with all the amazing crowds and my family here. so thank you to the team and everyone for your support.”
Speaking about her stage victory, Lorena Wiebes said:
“It was a tough race – with a city centre, all the time you have to push the power. The team did a really good job to keep me safe in the front. For me, it was perfect towards the finish as I could do the sprint as I wanted to.
“The team did a really good job. I am really happy that we could finish this week in a good way for the team.”
Glasgow also saw double race winner Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek) bow out from Lloyds Tour of Britain Women competition, crossing the line safely in the bunch, having helped her teammate Riejanne Markus to fourth overall.
A video looking back on Lizzie Deignan’s Lloyds Tour of Britain career, and hearing from her contemporaries, can be viewed on the Lloyds Tour of Britain YouTube channel.
Press Release | Lloyds Tour of Britain Women 2025 SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2025
CAT FERGUSON WINS IN KELSO TO TAKE LLOYDS TOUR OF BRITAIN LEAD
Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team) secured her first UCI WorldTour victory in Kelso in the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, after a dramatic few hours in the rain-soaked Scottish Borders.
Ferguson outsprinted fellow Brit Josie Nelson (Team Picnic PostNL) and Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez), as a five rider group contested the finish on The Square in Kelso, amidst another torrential downpour.
In the quest for the green jersey, Ferguson’s win secured top spot in the general classification heading into the final day in Glasgow, with a three second lead over Wollaston, and a further nine seconds back to Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ). Overnight leader Kristen Faulkner (EF Education – Oatly) was twice caught up in crashes, losing 3 minutes 17 seconds to fall to 16th overall.
Speaking after taking the win Cat Ferguson said:
“I am so over the moon. This is one of the races I was so excited to do this season, and I really wanted to come here in good form and show Britain how good I can be, and I think I have proved that today.
“I am a little bit nervous [on going into the final stage as leader]. I really want to hold onto that position. It isn’t a position I thought I would be in, so we have to look to make a good plan to hold onto it for tomorrow.“
After a start in dry conditions, rain swept in and a treacherous day on the roads around the Scottish Borders meant that the Queen of the Mountain jersey switched hands several times throughout a stage, being ultimately won by Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ), with no classified climbs on the final stage circuit in Glasgow.
The first of five Queen of the Mountain climbs was the picturesque Scott’s View early on in the stage, with the 2.3km climb the first opportunity for FDJ – SUEZ to attack, led by Marie Le Net. Wlodarczyk stuck to her back wheel, edging Le Net out to take maximum points before the pair were engulfed by the peloton.
Double Olympic champion Faulkner, wearing the Lloyds green jersey, was forced into a bike change at the conclusion of the first categorised climb, as the peloton split in two amidst the FDJ – SUEZ pressure. It was the start of what became a challenging afternoon for the American, who was involved in several crashes as the weather deteriorated and constantly had to fight to get back on terms with the stage leaders, eventually coming home 24th after a valiant chase.
FDJ – SUEZ and Lidl – Trek further split the peloton as Amber Kraak (FDJ – SUEZ) took the second Queen of the Mountains climb at Dingleton, above Melrose, and launched a solo attack. Behind her, stage two victor Mara Roldan (Team Picnic PostNL) and eventual stage three combativity winner, Lizzie Deignan (Lidl – Trek) respectively worked hard at the front of the peloton to chase her down.
Wlodarczyk successfully attacked the third Queen of the Mountain climb up Dunion Hill, but with Roldan also picking up points, the Canadian held her spot at the top of the leaderboard.
The constant on and off showers left the roads slick even when rain wasn’t falling, and on an innocuous corner on the run back towards the sprint in Kelso, several riders in the reduced lead group were involved in a crash including race leader Faulkner, yesterday’s stage winner Roldan, and European champion Lorena Wiebes along with several of her Team SDWorx – Protime team mates. As a result of the crash, Roldan was forced to abandon the race and relinquish her Queen of the Mountains lead.
With the crash reducing the front group still further, Wollaston took the sprint, held on the finish line in Kelso, closely followed by Ferguson, and Wollaston’s FDJ SUEZ teammate Célia Gery.
Six riders, including Ferguson and Wollaston managed to open up a small gap after cresting the final Queen of the Mountains climb at Dingleton, with less than 25km to go. It was reduced to five after Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Canyon//SRAM Zondacrypto), who had initiated the attack, became the latest rider to have bad luck befall them, as the Dane required a bike change. Behind several chase groups were formed, with Faulkner working hard in the third group on the road as she saw her hopes of Lloyds Tour of Britain Women victory be washed away in the Scottish rain.
As the breakaway entered the final kilometre and swept over the River Tweed into Kelso, Ferguson and Nelson led the sprint over the cobbles, to a roar of delight from the Borders crowd, celebrating the first Scottish stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, and one that will live long in the memory for both Ferguson and Faulkner, though for vastly different reasons.
Press Release | Lloyds Tour of Britain Women 2025 Stage 2 FRIDAY 6 JUNE 2025
MARA ROLDAN STEAMS TO LLOYDS TOUR OF BRITAIN WOMEN VICTORY ATOP SALTBURN BANK
Mara Roldan (Team Picnic PostNL) secured her first UCI Women’s WorldTour victory in emphatic fashion at the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women after conquering the iconic Saltburn Bank in a solo attack.
Stage One runner up, Olympic and USA national champion Kristen Faulkner (EF Education – Oatly), finished in the lead chasing group and now tops the General Classification table, four seconds ahead of Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek). Faulkner topples stages one winner Kimberley Le Court-Pienaar, who was dropped from the peloton on the first finishing circuit.
A rainy scene greeted the riders at the start of the second stage outside the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Hartlepool, ready for a 114.3km test to Saltburn, where a tough final circuit would see the peloton take on Saltburn Bank twice, including within the final kilometre
The difficult conditions saw race leader Kimberley Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance – Soudal Team) involved in an early crash, but the Mauritian national champion was quickly back on her bike without any major issues. Soon afterwards, Tiffany Keep (DAS – Hutchinson) launched an attack, joined by Madelaine Leech (Handsling Alba Development Road Team) and Lucy Gadd (Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team) to form the all-British breakaway of the day.
Up the hill through Redmarshall, with approximately 90km to go, the breakaway had already opened up a lead of over 90 seconds, as the trio powered away from the peloton. At its peak, the gap widened to three minutes with just 10km from the first sprint, but the chasing pack picked up the pace.
Gadd hit the front with 1km to the intermediate sprint but Keep timed her attack to perfection and eased to the ten bonus points with Gadd settling for second. Leech struggled to stay in touch with the pair after the sprint concluded and was caught by the peloton with just over 35km to go.
As the leaders approached the first Queen of the Mountain climb, the gap to the peloton had come down to just over a minute. Keep rode away to take maximum points while Gadd was caught by the chasing pack before the summit and Anouska Koster (Uno-X Mobility) took second. With less than 30km to the finish, the race came back together as Keep was swallowed up by the peloton.
As a number of riders from Lidl – Trek hit the front and tried to draw the peloton out with an injection of pace, several riders including GBCT’s Anna Morris and European Champion and pre-race favourite Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx – Protime), hit the deck. As several riders were held up by the crash, Anna Henderson (Lidl-Trek) took the opportunity to launch an attack before being caught moments later.
As they hit Saltburn Bank, the peloton had several fractures as they powered into the second intermediate sprint. Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team) was on the wheel of Kristen Faulkner who was vying for the bonus points alongside Henderson. As they came across the finish line on the first lap, the race leader Kim Le Court was nearly a minute behind the front group, as Faulkner took maximum points ahead of Ferguson, Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ), Henderson and Mara Roldan (Team Picnic PostNL)
With 15km to go and the second Queen of the Mountain nearing an end, Team Picnic PostNL riders were in a great position and it was the Canadian Roldan who took the 10 points. With Faulkner taking eight points, she tops the Queen of the Mountain leaderboard at the end of Stage Two. 21-year-old Roldan kept going and opened up a gap to the first chase group
Former Dutch champion Riejanne Markus counter-attacked and closed the gap, but Roldan reached the final ascent of Saltburn Bank alone and grinded up the steep ascent to claim her maiden UCI Women’s WorldTour victory, with Markus 12 seconds behind. Ally Wollaston (FDJ – Suez) led home the chasing bunch 18 seconds back, with Faulkner finishing in this group to ensure she will be not only be the new leader of the race, but also the leader of the Points and Queen of the Mountains competitions
Cat Ferguson retains her white jersey as best young rider while moving up to fourth in the General Classification. Speaking after her win, Mara Roldan said:
“It’s my first WorldTour win so that’s a really special feeling. It’s a little bit surreal, I didn’t know I had the win in me, but I was hopeful and I was going to give it everything no matter what. “We definitely had a plan and I’m very happy it paid off.
It was amazing work from the team to set me up for the final climb.” Cat Ferguson, said; “The stage went very similar to yesterday, the sprint being similar too. I’d still like to win a race in Britain, it’s a big goal of mine. “I’m really happy with where I am, if you told me I was fourth on GC after stage two I’d be so happy, but I’m still hunting for the podium and a stage.”
As well as the glory of the victory, stage winner Mara Roldan also received a one nights stay at The Spa Hotel Saltburn, courtesy of the Tees Valley Combined Authority, so that they can return to enjoy the Tees Valley at their leisure. All of the riders on the podium in Saltburn-by-the-Sea also received a framed artwork of Saltburn Bank from the Tees Valley Combined Authority, as a memento of their stage.
Press Release | Lloyds Tour of Britain Women 2025 Stage 1
PRESS RELEASE THURSDAY 5 JUNE 2025
CLASSY KIM LE COURT-PIENAAR DOMINATES STAGE ONE OF THE LLOYDS TOUR OF BRITAIN WOMEN WITH VICTORY IN REDCAR.
Kimberley Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance – Soudal) produced a stunning display to secure stage victory and the overall race lead on a windy Stage One of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women from Dalby Forest to Redcar. Along with Olympic and U.S. national champion Kristen Faulkner (EF Education – Oatly), Le Court-Pienaar broke away on the second climb of the day, with the pair managing to hold off the chasing peloton, and the Mauritian national champion proving a level above the rest to seal the win and the race lead, as Lorena Wiebes (Team SDWorx – Protime) led in the bunch. After a gentle start to the race and stage, rolling out from the scenic Dalby Forest, the peloton remained together until just 500 metres before the first Queen of the Mountain point at the top of the second category climb at Blakey Ridge, where attacks began to fly. Anouska Koster (Uno-X Mobility) duly won the sprint to claim the full six points, just ahead of Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ). The riders quickly reunited across the North York Moors National Park and along a swift descent to the foot of the next categorised climb, Langburn’s Bank.
As the riders began the second category test, it was here that Le Court-Pienaar launched her decisive attack, with only Faulker and Britain’s Anna Henderson (Lidl-Trek) able to follow the Mauritian national champion. Henderson could not cope with the pace, and was quickly dropped, leaving just the pair to summit the climb, with Le Court-Pienaar taking full points. Le Court-Pienaar and Faulkner decided to work together over the top of the climb to maintain their advantage over the peloton, which had splintered behind them, as an elite chase group formed to hunt down the two escapees, limiting the gap to just 33 seconds.
At the intermediate sprint at Newton-under-Roseberry, the gap remained above 20 seconds, as Le Court-Pienaar crossed the line first once again to take not only the 10 points but also three bonus seconds. Faulkner earned two extra seconds and Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ) swept up the last remaining bonus second from the chasing group. Over the next 15 kilometres as the race approached the breezy North Sea coastline at Redcar, Movistar Team and FDJ – Suez shared chasing duties as they worked towards a sprint finish. The two teams did make some progress, but simply could not erase enough of the breakaway’s advantage, which stood at just 13 seconds in the final kilometer.
Le Court-Pienaar launched her sprint with 300 metres to go and produced a powerful display to take the victory, sealing not only the stage but also the green jersey for the overall race lead. Faulkner could not match the Mauritian, settling for second place, with European champion and pre-race favourite Wiebes sprinting to third from the chasing group, just five seconds behind the leading duo on the line.
Her performance on the stage means Le Court-Pienaar will wear the Lloyds green jersey as race leader, where her lead is five seconds, and also now tops the red jersey competition as the leader of the points competition, as well as the blue jersey as ‘Queen of the Mountains’ – earned by virtue of her stage victory having tied on points with Koster. Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team) will wear the white jersey as the best placed young rider, where she is sixth on general classification.
Speaking after the podium, Kimberley Le Court-Pienaar, said: “Today we had a clear plan and executed it exactly as we wanted. I’m really happy that the legs reacted and I was able to pull it off for the team. “Tomorrow is a stage that suits me a bit more, I’m going into it with a bit more confidence. We’ll have to see, hopefully I’ll have a good night’s sleep.”
Speaking after achieving fifth place in Redcar and taking the white jersey of best young rider, Cat Ferguson said: “It was really fun out there, really nice to hear British voices shouting everyone on and it was definitely one of my favourite races this year. “I think it went as I expected – I thought it would definitely come down to a sprint, so for the two to come away was a surprise. They were too strong and credits to them for staying away.”
As well as the green jersey, stage winner Le Court will also receive a one night stay at The Spa Hotel Saltburn, courtesy of the Tees Valley Combined Authority, so that they can return to enjoy the Tees Valley at their leisure.
All of the riders on the podium in Redcar also received a framed artwork of Saltburn Bank from the Tees Valley Combined Authority, a climb that they will tackle twice during Friday’s stage. Full stage results and standings can be found here.
Stage two sees the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women remain in the Tees Valley with a 114.3-kilometre leg from Hartlepool to Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The stage takes in Seaton Carew, Billingham, Stokesley, Great Ayton, and Guisborough, before a finishing circuit in Redcar & Cleveland that will see riders tackle the famous hairpins of the 15% coastal climb of Saltburn Bank twice, the second time for the finish of the stage, which comes just after 2pm.
