Latest news with #TourofBritainWomen
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Drivers facing traffic chaos as 50 Glasgow city centre streets shut for 17 hours amid major race event
Read on for the full list of road closures Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CYCLING event is causing traffic chaos in Glasgow today with tailbacks stretching for miles in some areas. Almost 50 streets in the city centre shut down ahead of the final of the Tour of Britain Women's race. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Traffic has been building up in Glasgow city centre Credit: Mark Ferguson 4 Over 50 streets have been shut down amid a major cycling event Credit: Mark Ferguson 4 The event has sparked traffic chaos in the city centre Credit: Mark Ferguson 4 Motorist have been urged to avoid the area Credit: SCOTTISH SUN Thousands of people are set to descend on the city for the event, which is part of the UCI Women's World Tour. The race saw over 100 competitors cycle ten laps of a five-mile circuit, which started and ended at Glasgow Green. However, it meant that several roads across the city were forced to close for 17 hours as a result. Many of the closures kicked in yesterday in preparation for the race and will be in place until 9pm tonight. But it had already caused chaos in the city so far, with queues of traffic spotted throughout the city centre. Bus lanes are also impacted with a suspension in place from 4am until 9pm today on several routes. Huge tailbacks stretching for miles were seen entering from Bothwell Street and heading along to Hope Street. There are also massive queues of cars on the Kingston Bridge as traffic continues to build up. This is also affecting traffic on the West Street off-ramp. Traffic Scotland took to social media to warn drivers about the long tailbacks. Drivers trapped in freezing conditions as motorway is CLOSED after collision They explained that the motorways don't seem to be too badly affected as of yet, but added there is heavy congestion around the city. Motorists have been urged to avoid the area if possible. The post reads: "A reminder the Women's Tour of Britain cycling event is taking place in Glasgow today until 5pm and may cause congestion. "So far, there's no major delays on the Motorways, but traffic is slow Eastbound over the Kingston Bridge and onto the West Street Off Ramp."
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Full list of road closures in Glasgow as streets to shut for 17 hours amid major race event
Read on for the full list of roads that will be closed, plus the exact time they are expected to reopen PLAN AHEAD Full list of road closures in Glasgow as streets to shut for 17 hours amid major race event Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of people are set to descend on Glasgow today for a major cycling event - leading to several road closures. Almost 50 streets in the city centre will be shut off today for 17 hours as the final of the Tour of Britain Women's race gets underway. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The final of the Tour of Britain Women's race is taking place in Glasgow today Credit: Getty 4 Stage 2 of the event took place on Friday in Saltburn-by-the-Sea Credit: Getty 4 It is part of the UCI Women's World Tour and will see almost 50 roads closed in the city centre Credit: Tom Farmer The huge event will see competitors cycle ten laps of a five-mile circuit, with over 100 people anticipated to take part. The Glasgow course consists of ten laps of an 8.4km circuit which starts and ends at Glasgow Green. It is the first time that the race has taken place in the city, and it is part of the UCI Women's World Tour. The event runs over the span of four days, with today being the final day of the race. The final stage is expected to start at around 10am and finish in the afternoon. At the end of the event, the winner and successor to Lotte Kopecky, who was the champion last year, will be crowned. Cyclists of all ages will then be able to try their hand at the same closed-road city centre that the professionals raced on. There are also a number of cycling-themed events and activities planned throughout the day. However, it means that a number of roads will be closed throughout the city for hours as a result. Many of the closures kicked in yesterday in preparation for the race. England cricket stars forced to arrive to West Indies Test match on lime bikes amid 'shambles' at The Oval They began to kick in around 3pm yesterday afternoon and will be in place until 9pm tonight. As well as being closed to the public, many will also have no waiting, no loading or unloading restrictions during this time. The following streets will be shut until 4pm today: Albert Bridge - between Saltmarket and Crown Street Anchor Lane - for its full length Argyle Street - between Minerva Street and St Vincent Street Bell Street - between Albion Street and Watson Street Binnie Place - for its full length Blythswood Street - between West George Street and St Vincent Street Bothwell Street - between Wellington Street and Hope Street Bridgegate - between Kings Street and Saltmarket Clyde Street - for its full length (access maintained to Maxwell Street) Congress Road - between Stobcross Road and Finnieston Street Crown Street - between Ballater Street and Saltmarket Douglas Street - between Bothwell Street and St Vincent Street Duke Street - between John Knox Street and High Street Elderslie Street - between William St and St Vincent Street Fastlink - Anderston Quay and Broomielaw Finnieston Street - for its full length George Street - between George Square and High Street Glasgow Green - west and east carriageway Montrose Street - between Multistorey car park and George Street George Square - north side only Gorbals Street - between Ballater Street and Clyde Street Greendyke Street - for its full length High Street - for its full length Hope Street - between Gordon Street and St Vincent Street Jamaica Street - between Howard Street and Clyde Street King George V Bridge - for its full length Lancefield Quay - for its full length London Road - between Abercromby Street and High Street Moir Street - for its full length Midland Street - for its full length (local access to car parks only) Nelson Mandela Place - for its full length Newton Street - between Elmbank Crescent and William Street North Frederick Street - for its full length North Hanover Street - between George Square and Access Road to train station Rottenrow - between High Street and Collins Street Renfield Street - between West George Street and St Vincent Street Saltmarket - for its full length St Vincent Street - for its full length St Vincent Place - for its full length Pitt Street - between Bothwell Street and St Vincent Street The Clyde Arc - for its full length Trongate - between Albion Street and High Street Turnbull Street - between Steel Street and Greendyke Street Victoria Bridge - for its full length West Cambell Street - between Bothwell Street and St Vincent Street Wellington Street - between West George Street and St Vincent Street West Nile Street - between Gordon Street and West Regent Street West George Street - between Hope Street and George Square Ingram Street - between Shuttle Street and High Street Bus lanes will also be impacted with a suspension in place from 4am until 9pm today on several routes. These include: Argyle Street - eastbound between Hope St and Union Street Glassford Street - northbound between Argyle Street and Ingram Street North Hanover Street - northbound between George Square and Cathedral Street Stockwell Street - southbound onto Gorbals Street (Victoria Bridge) West George Street at West Nile Street - eastbound to Nelson Mandela Place Oswald Street - northbound after Midland Street West George Street and Nelson Mandela Place - eastbound George Square (south) - westbound after South Frederick Street Fastlink - between Hyde Park Street and York Street 'INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS' DOUBLE Olympic medallist Neah Evans has shared his delight at the race taking place in Glasgow. The cyclist, who is also a rider for Handsling Alba Development Road Team said: "It is really exciting that the Lloyds Tour of Britain is coming to Glasgow. "I know the streets very well from my university days here. "I started my cycling journey after a taster session at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, so Glasgow is a special place to me for that. "It's fantastic that the most prestigious women's road event in Britain is going to race around the city and hopefully inspire future generations to the sport." Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council convenor for culture, sport, and international relations, said: "Glasgow is one of the world's top sporting cities and Scotland's only UCI Bike City, so it is the perfect place to host the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women. "Our city staged the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships to great acclaim. "And the finale of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women promises to produce many more spectacular moments, with the UK's best female cyclists competing in front of a passionate home crowd as the event comes to Scotland for the first time. "The event will be the latest in a long line of high-profile, exhilarating sporting contests to take place in Glasgow. "There is much to look forward to, with the 2026 Commonwealth Games set to bring 3,000 of the world's best athletes to our city next summer."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roldan wins Tour of Britain stage two in Saltburn as Faulkner takes overall lead
Mara Roldan crosses the finish line in Saltburn-by-the-Sea to win stage two of the Tour of Britain Women. Mara Roldan crosses the finish line in Saltburn-by-the-Sea to win stage two of the Tour of Britain Women. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Mara Roldan pulled off a successful late breakaway on the steep approach to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, winning the second stage of the Tour of Britain Women by 12 seconds. The 21-year-old, who rides for Picnic-PostNL, made a push for victory with 14km to go and held on to win ahead of Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek). British teenager Cat Ferguson (Movistar) finished fifth for the second stage in a row, just behind third-placed Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) and Roldan's teammate Megan Jastrab. Advertisement Also in the chasing group was Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly), who finished ninth but did enough to take the overall leader's green jersey. Faulkner, the Olympic road race champion in Paris, leads a frustrated Markus by just four seconds. Ferguson is fourth behind Wollaston, 14 seconds off Faulkner's mark, with two stages to go. The day began at Hartlepool docks in wet conditions, with stage one winner and overall leader Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) falling early to all but end her GC chances. Le Court sits 21st overall after stage two, while the two-times former winner, Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek) is down in 16th place. Stage three on Saturday will start and end in Kelso as riders take a circuitous 148.7km route through the Scottish Borders. The race concludes with a 10-lap circuit around Glasgow city centre on Sunday.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Lizzie Deignan ‘incredibly emotional' ahead of Tour of Britain farewell
Emotions will be running high for Lizzie Deignan at the Tour of Britain Women this week. After announcing in November that this would be her final season as a professional, Deignan has been saying her goodbyes at races all year. But it will mean a little more at her last event on British soil, a race she has won twice in its previous guise as the Women's Tour, and one that this year happens to start on home roads in Yorkshire. 'I'll feel incredibly emotional,' Deignan told the PA news agency. View this post on Instagram A post shared by British Cycling (@britishcycling) 'I've been there at the start of women's cycling when we were fighting just to be included at races. I grew up watching the men's Tour of Britain and there was no option for the women. 'Now I will be at the start line with however many WorldTour teams, all the WorldTour women from the UK representing cycling. I think it will just be a moment of reflection for me to think, gosh, how far we've come.' Deignan was on the start line for the first Women's Tour in 2014, won it in both 2016 and 2019, and will be racing it for an eighth time when the opening stage rolls out of Dalby Forest on Thursday. The 36-year-old first toyed with retirement back in 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics. Last year might also have been her last before she decided on 'one last dance' with Lidl-Trek this term. Part of what kept Deignan going was the expansion of the calendar as more of cycling's top races added women's editions. 'I think if I had retired any earlier than now I would have had regrets, definitely, sitting at home watching all these opportunities unfold,' Deignan said. 'I can be really proud and pleased with the last five, six years of my career where I've got to feel truly like a professional, to be respected and to have opportunities equal to the men.' The London 2012 silver medallist won a world title in 2015 but, as a youngster, could have never imagined she would go on to win Paris-Roubaix or Liege-Bastogne-Liege because those races did not launch women's events until 2021 and 2017 respectively. She said: 'When I first started I couldn't dream of winning Monuments because we only had the Tour of Flanders, that was the biggest dream and I won it (in 2016), but now we have Milan-San Remo, Liege and Roubaix, we're just missing Lombardy now. 'So my career and goals have evolved alongside the sport. It's been an amazing journey to go on.' That 2015 world title is, on paper, the greatest of Deignan's 43 professional victories, but the Otley-born rider ranks her 2020 Liege-Bastogne-Liege win and memorable Paris-Roubaix triumph in 2021 just as highly as both came after the birth of the first of her two children. 'I did both of those as a mother,' she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lizzie Deignan MBE (@l_deignan) 'Just managing all the expectations and balancing everything was an incredibly difficult thing to do. And I pulled it off. So that personally is what I'm most proud of.' Deignan does not yet know what retirement holds for her, other than being clear she will remain active in the sport that has given her so much. Ahead of the Tour of Britain, Deignan has partnered with the race sponsor Lloyds on a programme to promote participation in cycling for people of all ages by providing greater access to equipment and experiences, and she wants to keep giving back. 'I've done my competitive bit and I'm passionate about staying in the sport but in a different way,' Deignan said. 'It's really important that participation and inclusivity stays part of the sport. Cycling can do much good for people, for people's self-confidence, and for the community.'
Glasgow Times
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Kate Richardson: It took hitting rock bottom to get help
Her life has gone full circle in the past twelve months, and when the Scot describes herself as hitting 'rock bottom' during that time, she doesn't just mean in a cycling sense. Indeed, losing a few bike races would have been easy to cope with in comparison to the desperate place Richardson found herself in less than a year ago, with merely leaving the house feeling like an impossibility, never mind competing for victories on the global stage. There is no overstating the depths to which Richardson fell last year, with her challenges feeling all the more significant given that she had been viewed as one of the brightest British prospects on two wheels. Having begun her sporting life as a triathlete - she won multiple junior national titles - Richardson transitioned to cycling in 2021, quickly establishing herself as a forced to be reckoned with on both the road and the track by winning the Ras na mBan stage race as well as double gold at the under-23 European Track Cycling Championships in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Her maiden British titles came at the start of 2024, with Richardson utterly oblivious to the turbulence that was on its way. As she finalised her preparations for last year's Tour of Britain Women, at which Richardson had been touted as a rider to watch, her life changed in the blink of an eye. While out on a training ride - indeed, it was her final training ride before the Tour of Britain began - Richardson was knocked off her bike by a vehicle. The first she knew of the collision was the 4x4 hitting her from behind. The next thing she remembers is lying, badly hurt, on the road. Richardson had suffered a fractured scapula and concussion but perhaps the greatest damage inflicted was by the driver of the vehicle, who disappeared before returning to the scene and proceeded to stand above Richardson, refusing to help and instead, hurled verbal abuse towards her as she lay on the roadside. It's an incident that would be enough to traumatise anyone, but even Richardson could not have predicted the knock-on impact that day would have on the months that followed. 'Lying on the ground being shouted at, all the while not knowing what kind of condition I was in or how seriously I was hurt, was the most traumatic thing of all for me,' the 22-year-old says of that fateful day last June. 'The effect that crash had on me and my life was just awful because I then slipped into a depression. 'We still don't know exactly what caused the depression - it might have been a delayed onset concussion, which can cause emotional side effects and symptoms. 'For months I couldn't sleep properly - I'd wake at 2am and stay awake for hours so I was constantly exhausted. I remember googling 'elite athletes who've had mental health struggles' because I wanted some reassurance that I would be okay. Because at that point, I really wasn't sure if I would be. 'I was in a very, very bad place mentally. I had no motivation to do anything and I couldn't find any joy in anything - and I don't mean just cycling, I mean life. 'I hated the sport of cycling but actually I hated everything. I was just surviving each day. 'It was hard because it was taking a massive toll on my family as well as on me because every single day I was sobbing uncontrollably and I could barely even get out of bed never mind get on a bike.' Kate Richardson has endured the most testing year of her life (Image: Getty Images) As is so often the case with elite athletes, Richardson deduced the best way forward was to push through, despite the fact she was clearly not in any kind of mental state to do such a thing. It's an attitude that gets elite athlete to the top of their sport, but it's also one that can be seriously damaging when suffering from a mental breakdown in the way Richardson was. She remembers, though, the exact moment when it finally dawned upon her that she couldn't get better alone and needed some serious help, immediately. 'I was in denial for months about how I was feeling and I just ploughed on," the Glaswegian says. 'I thought that getting to a race would solve my issues. I don't know how but, late last year, I managed to get myself into good enough form to be selected for the European Track Championships. But when I was in Manchester preparing, I had a massive breakdown. I remember sitting in my Airbnb, on my own, and it all just came to a head. 'I hit rock bottom. I couldn't think how to clean my bike or make my lunch or do basic, day-to-day things. 'Life felt horrific and I wondered if I would ever be a cyclist again. 'Unfortunately it took me too long to realise I had to do something - I had thought if I just kept going it would be okay but it's not as simple as that. It took hitting rock bottom for me to realise I could not continue down this path and I knew that the most important thing was for me to feel like myself again. 'So I got put on medication and I started working intensively with my psychologist.' Richardson's progress was steady and, slowly but surely, she began to feel like she was getting back to her 'old self', with her sense of closure being heightened after the driver who crashed into her recently being convicted of the charges brought against him and being handed a suspended jail sentence, disqualified from driving and fined. There was, however, a significant bump in the road in her recovery in March when she was forced to leave the road team she had signed for late last year, Hess Cycling, due to several alleged breaches of contract, including the team's reported failure to pay its riders. The disruption caused by Hess to Richardson's season was fortunately, minimal, with the Scot almost immediately signing for Scottish set-up, Alba Road Team, with which she's previously ridden. Richardson re-joined Alba in March and, having recovered considerably from the bout of depression that plagued her for the second half of last year, she rediscovered the form that had seen her identified as one of GB's brightest talents. Last month, Richardson won the general classification at the Tour de Feminin, producing a hugely impressive ride and signalling that she is ready to make a significant impact at the Tour of Britain Women, which begins on Thursday. Significantly, the race has two Scottish stages, with stage three snaking around the Scottish Borders before the fourth and final stage, which begins and ends in Glasgow. The line-up is strong, with Lizzie Deignan, Anna Henderson and Lorena Wiebes all worth watching out for, but given Richardson is feeling as good as she has in quite some time both physically and mentally, it's unsurprising she has lofty ambitions next week. 'As a team, Alba has a lot of targets which are not all about GC and I think we've got a great chance of being competitive,' she says. 'Personally, I see myself as a better stage racer than one day racer because I'm pretty good at backing up days so I would like to get a good result in GC. 'My form is good and I feel like I've got positive momentum, and the fact that the final stage is in Glasgow is such a motivator.' Richardson becomes understandably moved when she reflects on what she's been through and how difficult it's been for her to reach this point at which she's happy once again as both a person and a bike racer. And given she doubted she could ever feel like this again, she feels somewhat overwhelmed when looking back on her past twelve months. 'I feel quite emotional talking about what I've been through and coming out the other side because at the start of this year, I could never have foreseen being in such a good place,' she says. 'This period of my life has been hellish so I can't believe I turned it around so quickly. I think I will cry of happiness every time I do something good now because I feel so proud that I've managed to get to this point. 'It actually gives me a lot of confidence, too, because in those difficult moments, you tell yourself that you're mentally weak because you're struggling but when you come out the other side, you realise how strong you actually are. 'The Tour of Britain next week will be an emotional few days, but it'll be good emotions I'll be feeling now, not bad ones."
