A HIGH profile cycle race has boosted Worcester's economy by more than a quarter of a million pounds, research has shown.

Ten thousand people lined the city's streets to get a glimpse of the world’s best female cyclists finish the penultimate stage of the epic OVO Energy Women’s Tour.

Research – carried out in line with official HM Treasury guidelines by Frontline Research and Learning Institute – shows that hosting the end of the fourth stage of the race brought a £251,283 economic boost to the city.

The fourth stage saw riders winding through Worcestershire, starting in Evesham and ending in Hylton Road, Worcester, on Saturday, June 16. There were 103 competitors and 17 teams that took part in the race, which was organised by SweetSpot and featured a partnership with Breast Cancer Care.

Councillor Adrian Gregson, vice chair of Worcester city council’s place and economic development sub-committee, said: “It is no surprise that this superb race brought such a great economic boost to the city.

"People travelled far and wide to come to watch the fourth stage of the Women’s Tour in Worcester and they discovered how our heritage, retail, leisure and sporting opportunities make our city such a vibrant and exciting destination.

“This latest success shows how we are building on the popularity of hosting the men’s Tour of Britain in 2017 and I hope it’s only a matter of time before we see the world’s best cyclists on Worcester’s streets once again.”

The research showed 2018 Women’s Tour also raised the city's national profile with a total social media reach of 1.5 million across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Over 230,000 also watched this stage of the race hurl through Worcestershire on ITV4.

The following day, the cyclists continued the final stage of the race, finishing in Colwyn Bay in North Wales. 

Mick Bennett, race director of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed bringing the OVO Energy Women’s Tour to the warm and welcoming city of Worcester, following the success of the Tour of Britain in the city in 2017.

"The streets are always lined with an energetic and enthusiastic crowd to spur our cyclists on to the finish line.

"It’s great that Worcester has benefitted from hosting the race as it holds so many fantastic opportunities for all visitors and spectators of our cycling events.”